Planta Med 2010; 76 - P95
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1251857

Antiproliferative Activity of Bauhinia blakeana on Estrogen Receptor Negative Human Breast Cancer (MDA-MB-231) Cells

MK Balijepalli 1, CY Rou 1, MR Pichika 1
  • 1School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, International Medical University, No. 126, Jalan 19/55B, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bauhinia blakeana (Leguminosae) is a hybrid of B. purpurea and B. variegata. Since these two species were known to exhibit potent antiproliferative actions [1], we investigated the antiproliferative activities of the ethylacetate extracts from leaves, seeds, pods, stem bark, stem wood, roots and flowers on MDA-MB-231 cells. Authenticated plant material was dried, powdered, extracted with ethyl acetate in soxhlet extractor, concentrated in rotary evaporator and lyophilized in freeze dryer. The ethylacetate extracts were standardized in terms of their total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC). Dried ethylacetate extracts were dissolved in ethanol (95%). Cells were cultured using standard techniques and were plated at 1×105 cells per well. Extracts were tested at concentrations ranging from 50 to 250µg/mL. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. The ability of the extracts to induce apoptosis in cancer cells was qualitatively determined using the Dual Apoptosis Assay Kit and extent of apoptosis/necrosis was quantified using the Cell Death Detection ELISAPLUS Kit. The selectivity of the extracts was determined by comparing its activities on MDA-MB-231 and CHO cells. The extracts of seeds, stem wood and roots did not exhibit antiproliferative activity. The potency of others is in the order: stem bark (IC50=32µg/mL) > pods (IC50 =84µg/mL) > leaves (IC50=128µg/mL) and flowers (IC50=154µg/mL). All parts did not show antiproliferative actions on CHO cells up to the concentration of 200µg/mL. These active extracts induced apoptosis in cancer cells. The activities of different extracts were well correlated with the TPC and TFC values. Anthocyanins were detectable only in flowers. Acknowledgements: This work is supported by research grant from the International Medical University, Malaysia. References: [1] Filho VC (2009) Phtother Res, DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2756.