Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer effects of Piper betle L (Piperaceae) leaf extract on MCF-7 cells, and preparation of transdermal patches of the extract

Supavadee Boontha¹ , Jirapon Taowkaen¹, Thanaporn Phakwan¹, Teerapong Worauaichai^1-3, Piyarat Kamonnate¹, Benjaporn Buranrat², Tasana Pitaksuteepong³

¹School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000; ²Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000; ³Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.

For correspondence:- Supavadee Boontha Email: supa0865@hotmail.com Tel:+6654466666

Accepted: 23 May 2019 Published: 30 June 2019

Citation: Boontha S, Taowkaen J, Phakwan T, Worauaichai T, Kamonnate P, Buranrat B, et al. Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer effects of Piper betle L (Piperaceae) leaf extract on MCF-7 cells, and preparation of transdermal patches of the extract. Trop J Pharm Res 2019; 18(6):1265-1272 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v18i6.17

© 2019 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To determine the antioxidant and anticancer effects of Piper betle (P. betle) leaf extract on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and to develop transdermal patches containing the extract.

Methods: The leaf extract of P. betle was prepared by maceration method, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Cytotoxicity and suppression of cell migration (indices of anticancer activity) were also assessed in MCF-7 cells by sulforhodamine B (SRB) and wound healing assays, respectively. Transdermal patches were developed using the casting method, and the resultant patches were evaluated with regard to their physical appearance and mechanical properties before and after a stability test.

Results: The extract exhibited antioxidant activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 30.0 ± 0.1 µg/mL. It also showed cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ of 114.3 ± 14.9 µg/mL, and significantly suppressed the migration of MCF-7 cells at a dose of 25 µg/mL. Based on desirable characteristics, patch base formulations containing 4.2 % pectin, 0.4 % hydroxyl propyl methylcellulose (HPMC), 0.4 % polyvinyl pyrrolidine K-90 (PVP-K90) and 3 % propylene glycol (PG) were selected for incorporation into the extract.

Conclusion: Leaf extract of P. betle exhibits potential anti-breast cancer properties. A transdermal patch containing 0.03 % of the extract can be successfully developed for treatment of breast cancer.

Keywords: Piper betle leaf, Transdermal patches, Breast cancer, Antioxidants