Modulation of Apoptosis-Related Gene Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells by Lunasia amara: An Integrated In Vitro and In Silico Study

Abstract

Empirical studies show that the Lunasia amara plant has been used to treat breast cancer. The previous studies on Lunasia extract using metabolomic and chemometric approaches obtained quinoline alkaloid compounds such as Lunamarine and Lunine which correlate highly with cytotoxic activity in the MCF7 cell line. This study aimed to determine the effect of Lunasia amara extract on apoptosis markers Bax and Bcl2 in vitro and in silico. Gene expression of Bax (pro apoptosis) and Bcl2 (anti-apoptosis) will be measured using the RT PCR technique, while in silico, it will be performed using molecular docking. Based on PCR results, ethanol extract caused an increase in Bax gene expression while Bcl2 decreased. The Bax/Bcl2 ratio increased from 1 to 4.8. This will promote cell death. The molecular interaction of quinoline compounds against Bax and Bcl2 protein receptors generally did not show significant differences based on their affinity energy values. This suggests that the ligand exerts a greater influence at the gene level than the influence exerted on the apoptotic protein. Based on our findings, ethanol extract of Lunasia affects the expression of apoptotic genes Bax and Bcl2.