Effect ofLantana camaraethanolic leaf extract on survival and migration of MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cell line

Introduction Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Lantana camara has been reported to cure a number of ailments, with few studies showing its cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. However, the impact of Lantana camara on triple negative breast cancer cells is largely obscure to date. The present study investigated the effect of ethanolic extract of Lantana camara leaves on the triple negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Methods Cytotoxic effect of the extract on the cells was determined by cell survival assay. Cell cycle phase distribution was analysed using flow cytometry. To study the effect on nuclear morphology, nuclear stained cells were visualized using epifluorescence microscopy. The induction of apoptosis and generation of reactive oxygen species was conducted using flow cytometry. Cellular migration was studied by performing wound healing assay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was done to determine the mRNA levels of some key genes. Results Lantana camara leaf extract induced cytomorphological changes and growth inhibitory effect on MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The extract also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and nuclear condensation. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed cell death by apoptosis. Lantana camara leaf extract also reduced the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. mRNA expression levels also supported the above observations. Conclusions This study demonstrates the efficacy of the extract to induce growth-inhibitory and anti-migratory effects on MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results thus suggest that Lantana camara leaf extract can be considered as a potent source of chemotherapeutic agents for triple negative breast cancer.