DNA strand intertwined with Nigerian medicinal plants

Can These Plants Fight Breast Cancer? New Research on Natural Cytotoxicity

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Exploring the potential of Nigerian medicinal plants to modulate key genes in breast cancer cells: A promising step towards natural cancer therapies."

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatments. While conventional therapies have advanced, the exploration of natural compounds as potential anticancer agents is gaining momentum. Many plants used in traditional medicine are believed to possess anticancer properties, but rigorous scientific evaluation is crucial to validate these claims.

A recent study has focused on six plants native to Nigeria, examining their cytotoxic effects and their influence on key genes involved in cancer development. Specifically, researchers investigated how extracts from these plants affect the expression of the TP53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) genes in breast cancer cells. These genes play critical roles in suppressing tumor growth, and understanding how natural compounds can modulate their activity could pave the way for novel cancer therapies.

This article delves into the findings of this research, explaining how the plant extracts were prepared, how their cytotoxicity was assessed, and what effects they had on gene expression in breast cancer cell lines. By exploring the modulatory potentials of these plant extracts, we gain insights into potential new avenues for breast cancer treatment and prevention.

Unlocking the Anticancer Potential of Nigerian Plants

DNA strand intertwined with Nigerian medicinal plants

The study, published in the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, selected six Nigerian plants known in traditional medicine for their purported anticancer properties: Tapinanthes bangwensis (Tba), Spilanthes filicaulis (Sfi), Anthocleista djalonensis (Adj), Curculigo pilosa (Cpi), Icacina trichantha (Itr), and Gladiolus psittacinus (Gps). Researchers prepared various extracts from these plants, including crude extracts and fractions obtained using different solvents like hexane, chloroform, and ethylacetate.

The cytotoxicity of these extracts was first evaluated using a brine shrimp lethality assay. This assay measures the ability of the extracts to kill brine shrimp larvae, providing an initial indication of their potential toxicity to cancer cells. The extracts that showed the highest cytotoxic activity were then selected for further investigation of their effects on gene expression in human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7).

Sfi-HF: Hexane fraction of Spilanthes filicaulis. Showed the highest cytotoxic effect on brine shrimps, with a low signal of p53 gene expression but a high intensity of Rb gene expression in MCF-7 cell lines.
Gps-CE: Crude extract of Gladiolus psittacinus. Demonstrated a significant increase in TP53 gene expression and a high intensity of Rb gene expression.

The researchers found that the hexane fraction of S. filicaulis (Sfi-HF) exhibited the most potent cytotoxic effect, while the crude extract of G. psittacinus (Gps-CE) significantly increased the expression of the TP53 gene. These findings suggest that certain compounds within these plants can influence the expression of genes critical for controlling cell growth and preventing cancer development. Further research is needed to identify the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and to evaluate their potential as therapeutic agents.

Implications and Future Directions

This study provides valuable insights into the potential of Nigerian medicinal plants to combat breast cancer by modulating key genes involved in tumor suppression. The findings suggest that Sfi-HF and Gps-CE, in particular, warrant further investigation as potential sources of anticancer compounds.

However, it's important to note that this research was conducted in vitro, using breast cancer cell lines. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in vivo, using animal models and ultimately, human clinical trials. Identifying the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the observed effects and understanding their mechanisms of action are also critical steps in developing effective cancer therapies.

As natural medicine and plant-based remedies gain traction, studies like this highlight the importance of rigorous scientific investigation. By bridging traditional knowledge with modern research, we can unlock the potential of natural compounds to address pressing health challenges like breast cancer.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5897/jpp2013.0270, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Retinoblastoma (Rb) And Protein-53 (P53) Gene Expression Levels In Breast Cancer Cell Lines (Mcf-7) Induced With Some Selected Cytotoxic Plants

Subject: Drug Discovery

Journal: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

Publisher: Academic Journals

Authors: Titilola Aderonke Samuel, Ayorinde Babatunde James, Temitope Adesola Oshodi, Uchennaya Okereke Odii, Innocent Chidume, Oluwaseun Elisha Makinde, Lanre Abolaji Oguntoye, Olubunmi Abiola Magbagbeola

Published: 2013-07-31

Everything You Need To Know

What plants were studied, and how were they prepared?

The study focused on six Nigerian plants: Tapinanthes bangwensis (Tba), Spilanthes filicaulis (Sfi), Anthocleista djalonensis (Adj), Curculigo pilosa (Cpi), Icacina trichantha (Itr), and Gladiolus psittacinus (Gps). Researchers prepared various extracts from these plants, including crude extracts and fractions using solvents like hexane, chloroform, and ethylacetate. The hexane fraction of Spilanthes filicaulis (Sfi-HF) and the crude extract of Gladiolus psittacinus (Gps-CE) were specifically highlighted for their effects.

What does cytotoxicity mean in this research, and how was it measured?

Cytotoxicity refers to the ability of a substance to kill cells. In this context, it was assessed using a brine shrimp lethality assay, which measures how effectively the plant extracts kill brine shrimp larvae. This assay serves as an initial indicator of the potential of these extracts to be toxic to cancer cells. The hexane fraction of Spilanthes filicaulis (Sfi-HF) showed the highest cytotoxic effect, indicating a strong ability to kill cells.

Why are the TP53 and Rb genes important?

The TP53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) genes are crucial in suppressing tumor growth. The TP53 gene, often referred to as a tumor suppressor gene, helps control cell growth and prevent cancer development. The Rb gene also plays a critical role in regulating cell division and preventing uncontrolled cell growth. The study examined how the plant extracts influenced the expression of these genes in human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7).

What were the key findings regarding the plant extracts and gene expression?

The hexane fraction of Spilanthes filicaulis (Sfi-HF) exhibited the most potent cytotoxic effect in the brine shrimp assay. In the human breast cancer cell lines, Sfi-HF showed a low signal of p53 gene expression but a high intensity of Rb gene expression. The crude extract of Gladiolus psittacinus (Gps-CE) demonstrated a significant increase in TP53 gene expression and a high intensity of Rb gene expression. These findings are significant because they indicate that certain plant compounds can modulate the activity of genes involved in cancer development.

What are the implications of this research and what are the next steps?

The study's findings suggest that compounds within Sfi-HF and Gps-CE may have anticancer properties. These extracts warrant further investigation to identify the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and to evaluate their potential as therapeutic agents. Further research could involve isolating and characterizing these compounds, understanding their mechanisms of action, and conducting preclinical and clinical studies to assess their efficacy and safety in treating breast cancer. The implication is that Nigerian medicinal plants could offer new avenues for breast cancer treatment and prevention by targeting key genes involved in tumor suppression.