THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES OF CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA FOR BREAST CANCER
Keywords:
Calotropis gigantea, secondary metabolites, LC-MS, MTT assay, Anti-proliferation, IC50, cardiac glycosides.Abstract
The present study deals with the cytotoxic activity of cardiac glycosides of Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T.Aiton; on breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Qualitative screening of methenaloic extract of leaves of Calotropis gigantea for secondary metabolites showed the presence of phenolics, alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, tannins and glycosides. Glycosides were selected for detailed chemical analysis, anti-cancer and anti-proliferative activity. LC-MS analysis of the glycoside extract showed the presence of calactin (532.63), calotropin (532.63), cymarin (532.63) and asclepin (574.66) as the components along with three other glycosides yet to be identified. Cytotoxic activity of the glycosidic fraction was proved on MCF-7 cells through MTT assay, with IC50 value of 2.7mg/ml. Cardiac glycosides exhibited cell proliferation inhibition by inducing cells to undergo cell cycle arrest. The study has confirmed anticancer potential of cardiac glycosides from Calotropis gigantea. Further investigation on mechanism of cytotoxicity and action of individual components of the glycosidic fraction on cancer cells would help in identifying the real potential of the fraction as an anticancer drug.
