Anti-metastatic Effect of Heliotropium bacciferum on MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Heliotropium bacciferum, a flowering plant, is evaluated for its anti-metastatic impact on Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells and its capacity to disturb key signaling pathways. MCF-7 cells are treated and assessed using an MTT viability assay and gene expression analysis of GSK3β, Wnt2, and β-catenin. Increasing extract concentrations reduce growth, while GSK3β and Wnt2 suppression is observed alongside supportive ADMET-related findings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Aim

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Materials and methods

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Open Access Original Article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58939 Received 03/25/2024 Review began 03/31/2024 Review ended 04/12/2024 Published 04/24/2024 © Copyright 2024 R et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0. , which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided the original author and source are credited. Anti-metastatic Effect of Heliotropium bacciferum on MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line Gauranga R 1, Vasugi Suresh 1, Muthamizh Selvamani 1, Selvaraj Jayaraman 2, Mohammed Asif Hussein 1 1. Department of Physiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science (SIMATS) Saveetha University, Chennai, IND 2. Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science (SIMATS) Saveetha University, Chennai, IND Corresponding author: Mohammed Asif Hussein, [asifhusseinh.sdc@saveetha.com](asifhusseinh.sdc@saveetha.com) Abstract Background Heliotropium bacciferum, often known as wild heliotrope or wild quailplant, is a flowering plant from the borage family. This study examines the anti-metastatic impact of H. bacciferum on Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells and its ability to disrupt signaling pathways. Aim To explore the anti-metastatic effect of H. bacciferum on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Materials and methods For this research, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used. Cells were cultured and subjected to 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, as well as gene expression analysis for glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β), wingless-related integration site 2 (Wnt2), and β-catenin. The plant extract was tested to determine if it successfully blocked the signalling pathway or not. Results The MTT test was performed to study the cytotoxic impact of H. bacciferum. At an increasing concentration of 100 μg/mL, the extract inhibited growth by 55%, whereas at 150 μg/mL, it inhibited growth by 52.5% . Maximum inhibition was seen at 150 μg/mL. H. bacciferum suppressed the GSK3β and Wnt2 signaling pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, acting as an anti-metastatic and anticancer agent. The heliotrine compound in H. bacciferum showed high binding energy to metastatic targets such as GSK3β, Wnt2, and β-catenin. Moreover, chemical absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties also support the study. Conclusion In this study, we can infer that H. bacciferum has a favourable anticancer impact on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and may be utilised as an anticancer drug against breast cancer cells. It can also be further evaluated for different breast cancers and cell lines. Categories: Preventive Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Oncology Keywords: admet, β-catenin, breast cancer cell line, anti-metastatic, mcf-7, breast cancer, anticancer, wnt, gsk3β, heliotropium bacciferum Introduction Breast cancer is the most common illness worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths [1] . Breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality among women and is a potentially lethal disease. It accounts for around 23% of cancer-related fatalities in postmenopausal women and is one of the leading causes of death in this demographic. However, women continue to detect it in advanced stages because they are careless in their self-examination and clinical evaluation of their breasts; thus, it is now a global concern [2] . Cancer development includes both benign and malignant phases [3] . Because young women are now developing breast cancer, researchers are paying attention. Given the current state of knowledge, breast cancer is without a doubt the most common cause of cancer-related mortality for women under 45 [4] . Tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) plays a crucial role in assessing the tumour

FAQs

What is the objective of this study on Heliotropium bacciferum?

To explore the anti-metastatic effect of H. bacciferum on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and its ability to disrupt related signaling pathways.

How were the effects on MCF-7 cells measured?

MCF-7 cells were assessed using an MTT assay for cytotoxic impact and gene expression analysis for GSK3β, Wnt2, and β-catenin.

What results were observed at higher extract concentrations?

At 100 μg/mL growth inhibition reached 55%, and at 150 μg/mL inhibition reached 52.5%, with maximum inhibition reported at 150 μg/mL.

Which molecular pathways and compounds are implicated in the anti-metastatic action?

The extract suppresses GSK3β and Wnt2 signaling, and heliotrine is reported to show strong binding energy to metastatic targets including GSK3β, Wnt2, and β-catenin, with ADMET properties supporting the findings.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana