Antiproliferation effect of clinacanthus nutans on the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Malaysian women. In fact, previous study showed poor survival rate of breast cancer among Malaysian women (CH Yip, 2014). In the view of hormonal risk factor, persistence elevated oestrogen level in blood has been shown associated with the risk of breast cancer (James D. Yager, 2006). Hence, MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line which represents the Lurninal A breast cancer subtype [ responds to endocrine therapy (ER+)] was chosen for the study. C. nutans is believed to be able to be used as effective alternate anticancer regimen (Yong, et al, 2013) Flavonoids and other bioactive compounds contained in C. nutans, are estrogen disruptor compound that enable the antiproliferation effects on cancer cells (Batra, Sharma, 2013). MCF-7 cells were treated with seven different concentrations of C. nutans and the antiproliferation effect was tested by using MTS assay. The results showed a decrease in pattern in the number of viable cells from negative control to the treated cells. The finding of inhibitory concentration of C. nutans or IC 50 on the cells which was based on the percentage of cell viability of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was found in ethanol, methanol and hexane extract of C. nutans. Hence, these extracts managed to reach 50% inhibition of cells. Ethyl acetate extract of C.nutans which did not managed to reach IC 50, still showed inhibitory effect based on the decrease pattern of the cell viability. In conclusion, C.nutans extracts showed potential in inhibiting the proliferation of MCF- 7 human breast cancer cells.