Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Cytotoxic, colony formation and anti-migratory effects of Spilanthes acmella (Asteraceae) aerial extract on MCF-7 cells and its cream formulation

Supavadee Boontha¹ , Thatcha Thoedyotin¹, Thanaphon Saengtabtim¹, Pathitta Im-erb¹, Natthamon Chaniad¹, 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: 18 December 2019 Published: 31 January 2020

Citation: Boontha S, Thoedyotin T, Saengtabtim T, Im-erb P, Chaniad N, Buranrat B, et al. Cytotoxic, colony formation and anti-migratory effects of Spilanthes acmella (Asteraceae) aerial extract on MCF-7 cells and its cream formulation. Trop J Pharm Res 2020; 19(1):17-24 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v19i1.3

© 2020 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To determine anti-breast cancer activities of Spilanthes acmella (S. acmella) extract.

Methods: S. acmella was macerated with 95% ethanol. Phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the extract were assessed using Folin Ciocalteu method, aluminum chloride (AlCl3) colorimetric method and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, respectively. Cytotoxicity, colony formation and cell migration suppression on MCF-7 cells, representing anti-breast cancer effects, were also evaluated by sulforhodamine B (SRB), clonogenic and wound healing assays, respectively. Creams containing the extract were formulated and then characterized in terms of their physical appearance, viscosity and pH, before and after stability testing.

Results: The crude extract contained phenolic content of 62.8 ± 5.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and flavonoid content of 375.6 ± 20.1 mg rutin equivalent/g. The results showed that the extract exhibits antioxidant effect with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 1.2 ± 0.1 mg/mL. It showed cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ of 37.1 ± 1.1 µg/mL in 48 h and inhibited colony formation of cells with IC₅₀ of 44.9 ± 1.3 μM. In addition, it demonstrated an anti-migration effect at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. The developed creams displayed good physical appearance and maintained stable physical properties overt a two-month period.

Conclusion: S. acmella extract exhibits potential anti-breast cancer activity. The cream containing the extract is promising for the topical treatment of breast cancer.

Keywords: Spilanthes acmella, Antioxidant, Anti-breast cancer, Flavonoids, Phenolics, Topical cream