Antiproliferative Effect of the Methanol Extract of Piper crocatum Ruiz & Pav Leaves on Human Breast (T47D) Cells In-vitro

Purpose: To investigate the anti-cancer properties of the methanol extract of Piper crocatum Ruiz & Pav. leaves and its mode of action in human breast cancer (T47D) cells. Methods: The anti-cancer property and mechanism of action of the extract were evaluated by its effect on cell viability, nuclear morphology, cell cycle progression and the expression of phosphorylated p44/p42 as a marker for cell proliferation. Results: The results showed that there was a reduction of cell viability by the extract in a concentrationdependent manner and no alteration of nuclear morphology was observed. There were negligible changes in Sub-G1 phase formation after extract treatment. Expression of phosphorylated p44/42 was decreased by the extract only. Inclusion of the extract in the incubation medium decreased insulinstimulated phosphorylation of p44/p42 indicating that the anti-proliferative effect of the extract was via p44/p42 pathway. Conclusion: All together, the data indicate that P. crocatum methanol extract inhibits the growth of human breast cancer (T47D) cells via inhibition of p44/p42 phosphorylation.