Combination Curcuma longa and Phyllanthus niruri Extract Potentiate Antiproliferative in Triple Negative Breast Cancer MDAMB-231 Cells

BACKGROUND: Triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) are a small part of cancer-inducing cells in breast cancer, which are characterized by high metastatic and self-renewal. Self-renewal has the ability to renew itself and loses control of proliferation. Curcuma longa extract (CL) and Phyllanthus niruri extract (PN) known to have anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. However, the effects of combination CL and PN on TNBC proliferation still unclear. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of the combination CL and PN on TNBC MDAMB-231 and attempted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa and the herbs of Phyllanthus niruri were macerated with ethanol for 72 h.The antiproliferative and synergistic effects of combination CL and PN were investigated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Combination index values were calculated using CompuSyn (ComboSyn, Inc, Paramus, NJ). The cell cycle and apoptosis assay were determined by propidium iodide (PI) and PI-AnnexinV assay under flow cytometer, respectively. The intracellular ROS levels were evaluated using 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay. The mRNA expressions of proliferation-related genes in the cells were determined using bioinformatic assay. RESULTS: The CL and PN single treatment caused a potent and dose-dependent decrease in the percentage of viable cells with IC(50 )value of 13 μg/mL and 45 μg/mL for 24 h, respectively. The combination index values of the different combinations ranged from 0.08 – 0.90, indicating slightly strong to very strong synergistic effects. The combination of CL and PN also remarkably induced the S- and G2/M-phases cell cycle arrest that leading to apoptosis induction. Furthermore, the combination of CL and PN treatment induced the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Mechanistically, the AKT1, EP300, STAT3 and EGFR signaling as potential targets of combination CL and PN in antiproliferation and antimetastatic of TNBC. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CL and PN exerted promising antiproliferative effects in TNBC. Therefore, CL and PN may be considered a potential source for the development of potent anticancer drugs for breast cancer treatment.