Cassia fistula L. pod shell and leaf extracts induce cell cytotoxicity and suppress cell migration by downregulating EGFR in MCF-7 cells

Introduction: Cassia fistula Linn. (CF) is a well-known Thai medicinal plant and a source of many bioactive compounds. The present work designed to examine the anticancer effects of pod shell and leaf of CF extracts on a human breast cancer cell line via the suppression of tumor development and metastasis. The expression of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression was interested to explore. Methods: The in vitro anticancer activities of the CF pod shell and leaf extracts, including cell cytotoxicity, cell growth, cell migration, cell death, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation were evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB), colony forming, wound healing, and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. The EGFR protein expression was determined by western blot analysis, which is related to increased cancer cell growth and resistance to apoptosis. Results: CF pod shell and leaf extracts showed significant toxicities against MCF-7 cells and inhibited the cancer cells proliferation and migratory ability of breast cancer MCF-7 cells in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Both extracts induced late cell apoptosis and significantly generated ROS formation at a dose of 250 mg/mL. Western blotting data exhibited low levels of EGFR protein expression after treating with the extracts at a dose of 1000 mg/mL. Conclusion: CF pod shell and leaf extracts are able to reduce breast cancer cell proliferation, increase cell apoptosis, and suppress cell migration through the downregulation of EGFR expression indicating anticancer activities.