Combination therapy of curcuma xanthorrhiza­ ethanolic extract and cisplatin on breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world; it is estimated that 1.6 million of breast cancer cases with 560 thousand death. In Malaysia, it is found that 3738 new cases were reported in 2003. Cisplatin is one of the drug that being used in chemotherapy. Cisplatin belongs to platinum-based chemotherapy with mechanism of action- it acts as DNA cross-linking agent, topoisomerase inhibitors and microtubules stabilizers which interrupting the ability of cancers to divide. Curcuma xanthorrhiza is also known as temulawak is believed to have anti-cancer properties. Several research shown that it have the anti- cancer properties such as it has protective property towards of hepatocytes, inducing DNA fragmentation in hepatoma cells and prevention of lung metastasis. Aim of this final year project is to assess the interaction of CX-ethanolic extract and cisplatin combination therapy on breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. The interaction can be divided into three- antagonism, synergistic and additive. Breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231 were cultured in mixture of DMEM, fetal bovine serum and 1 % streptomycin penicillin in the condition of 37°c and 5% CO2. The cell then treated with various concentration of cisplatin and CX-ethanolic extract. In order to evaluate cell viability, MTI assay was being used in this study. The results showed that cisplatin have the IC50 of 225.39µmol/ml while CX­ ethanolic extract have IC50 of 833.84µg/ml. CX-ethanolic extract do have the anti-cancer properties towards breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231.