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In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Smilax corbularia Extract Combined with Phellinus linteus Extract Against Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Summary

This research investigated how combining extracts from a medicinal plant (Smilax corbularia) and a medicinal mushroom (Phellinus linteus) could potentially help fight breast cancer. The study found that these natural extracts, especially when combined in specific ratios, showed promising anti-cancer properties in laboratory tests, while potentially being less harmful to normal cells than current cancer treatments. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides evidence for the potential development of natural, less toxic cancer treatments • Supports the traditional use of medicinal plants and mushrooms in healthcare • Demonstrates how combining natural compounds may be more effective than using them individually • Offers hope for safer breast cancer treatment options in the future • Highlights the importance of continuing research into natural medicine

Background

Cancer development can be triggered by oxidative stress from free radical exposure that disrupts biological homeostasis in normal cells. Breast cancer is particularly common among females, with approximately 19.3 million new cases in 2020. Current therapeutic approaches like radiotherapy and chemotherapy have severe side effects due to non-selective cell death and drug resistance. Herbal medicine is being investigated as a potential alternative treatment.

Objective

To evaluate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of Smilax corbularia Kunth (S. corbularia) and Phellinus linteus (P. linteus) crude extracts both individually and in combination against breast cancer cell lines.

Results

S. corbularia extract showed high total phenolic content while P. linteus extract had high total polysaccharide content. S. corbularia alone and combination 3 demonstrated the greatest radical scavenging activity. The toxicity results on cancer cells corresponded with antioxidant activity. Certain combinations showed clearer inhibitory effects on cell proliferation against breast cancer cells compared to individual extracts. However, apoptosis induction was limited to less than 5%.

Conclusion

The increase in total phenolic content was associated with increased antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects. Certain combinations had significant antiproliferative effects on breast cancer cell lines. The combination of S. corbularia and P. linteus extracts shows potential as antioxidant and anticancer agents, warranting further investigation into their therapeutic applications.
  • Published in:Biomedical Reports,
  • Study Type:In Vitro Study,
  • Source: 10.3892/br.2023.1645
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