Potential of Curcuma xanthorrhiza ethanol extract in inhibiting the growth of T47D breast cancer cell line: In vitro and bioinformatic approach

Context: Breast cancer most commonly occurs in women globally and has the highest mortality rate in Asia. Therefore, a safe and prominent drug to cure the disease needs to be urgently developed. Aims: To investigate the molecular mechanism of the ethanol extract of Curcuma xanthorrhiza (ECx) in inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cell line T47D. Methods: The research was started by extracting Curcuma xanthorrhiza using ethanol as solvent. The anticancer research was carried out by cell toxicity assay and apoptosis assay. This study also observed changes in cell morphology and protein expression levels that can induce cell apoptosis. The bioinformatics approach was carried out to determine the activity of the active compound in inhibiting AKT-1, which plays an important role in the development of cancer cells. TIG-1 cells were used as controls in toxicity assays. Results: ECx showed antioxidant and nitric oxide scavenging activity, which is beneficial for human health, and exhibited selective toxicity in T47D breast cancer cells compared to TIG-1 normal cells. ECx increased the expression of p53, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9, which induces apoptosis. Further analysis showed that ECx contained at least eight active compounds: curcumin, curcumin II (desmethoxycurcumin), curcumene, camphor, 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, ar-turmerone, and caryophyllene oxide. Bioinformatics studies suggest that active compounds may be involved in apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions: ECx significantly acts as an anticancer agent by inhibiting the growth of T47D cells. This research proves that the bioinformatics approach shows that curcumin can inhibit the expression of AKT-1.