Ethanolic Extract of Averrhoa carambola Leaf Has an Anticancer Activity on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study

• Published in: Pharmaceutics 2024-12, Vol.17 (1), p.2
• Main Authors: Beas-Guzmán, Oscar F., Cabrera-Licona, Ariana, Hernández-Fuentes, Gustavo A., Ceballos-Magaña, Silvia G., Guzmán-Esquivel, José, De-León-Zaragoza, Luis, Ramírez-Flores, Mario, Diaz-Martinez, Janet, Garza-Veloz, Idalia, Martínez-Fierro, Margarita L., Rodríguez-Sanchez, Iram P., Ceja-Espíritu, Gabriel, Meza-Robles, Carmen, Cervantes-Kardasch, Víctor H., Delgado-Enciso, Iván
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1999-4923; 1999-4923
• DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17010002

Background/Objectives: Averrhoa carambola, or star fruit, is a shrub known for its medicinal properties, especially due to bioactive metabolites identified in its roots and fruit with anti-cancer activity. However, the biological effects of its leaves remain unexplored. This study aimed to assess the effects of ethanolic extract from A. carambola leaves on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype lacking specific therapy. Methods: Phytochemical analysis and HPLC profile and additional cell line evaluation employing MDA-MB-231 were carried out. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed that the ethanolic extract was rich in flavonoids, saponins, and steroids, demonstrating an antioxidant capacity of 45%. 1H NMR analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids, terpenes, and glycoside-like compounds. Cell viability assays showed a concentration-dependent decrease in viability, with an IC50 value of 20.89 μg/mL at 48 h. Clonogenic assays indicated significant inhibition of replicative immortality, with only 2.63% survival at 15 μg/mL. Migration, assessed through a wound healing assay, was reduced to 3.06% at 100 μg/mL, with only 16.23% of cells remaining attached. An additive effect was observed when combining lower concentrations of the extract with doxorubicin, indicating potential synergy. Conclusions: These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. carambola leaves contains metabolites with anti-cancer activity against TNBC cells, supporting further research into their bioactive compounds and therapeutic potential.