Inhibitory Effect of Dioscorea bulbifera Tubers on the Migration of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

• Published in: Revista brasileira de farmacognosia 2021-06, Vol.31 (3), p.335-341
• Main Authors: Al-Amin, Mohammad, Eltayeb, Nagla Mustafa, Khairuddean, Melati, Salhimi, Salizawati Muhamad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicine; Pharmacy; Short Communication
• ISSN: 1981-528X; 1981-528X
• DOI: 10.1007/s43450-021-00156-3

Dioscorea bulbifera L., Dioscoreaceae, is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes and wounds. The inhibitory activity of D. bulbifera tubers on MDA-MB-231 cell migration was evaluated and the chemical constituents were isolated from active fractions. The effect of the extract and fractions on cell migration was evaluated using the scratch and transwell migration assays. The effect of fractions on MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes was evaluated using gelatin zymography. In the scratch assay, the extract and tested fractions showed significant inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cell migration. The transwell migration assay of active fractions showed 47.5 and 39% inhibition of cell migration, respectively. Gelatin zymography showed that the inhibitory effect on cell migration resulted through the modulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes. The chromatographic separation afforded lusianthridin, flavanthridin, 4,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyphenanthrene, nudol, catechin, and diosbulbin B. Docking study of the isolated compounds on MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes revealed that the inhibitory activity of D. bulbifera tubers on cell migration is possibly from their synergistic effects. Graphical abstract