The study of the proximate analysis on the leaves of Vitex negundo L. (VN) was done to gain the preliminary data of the anti-proliferative properties on cancer cell lines. Aqueous and organic extracts of the leaves of VN were used to identify its cytotoxic effect on six types of cancer-origin and normal cells, namely hormone-dependent breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), non-hormone-dependent breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231), ovarian cancer cell line (Caov-3), cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and human foreskin fibroblast cell line (Hs27). The anti-proliferation activities of these extracts were investigated by employing colorimetric MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay through time periods of 24, 48 and 72 h. Preliminary results showed that the methanol extracts had significant effects (p<0.05) on MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values 65.38 μg/mL. The nutritional composition of the leaves provides a strong basis for emphasizing the nutritional value of Vitex negundo L.
LED red light has been reported to have many health benefits. The present study was conducted to characterise anti-proliferation properties of four LED red light wavelengths (615, 630, 660 and 730 nm) against non-triple negative (MCF-7) and triple negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer-origin cell lines. It has been shown by MTT assay that at 24 h post-exposure time point, only LED red light with wavelength 660 nm possessed anti-proliferative effects against both cell lines with 40% reduction of cell viability. The morphology of LED 660 nm irradiated cells was found flatten with enlarged cell size, typical characteristic of cell senescent. Indications of autophagy activities following the irradiation have been provided by acridine orange staining, showing high presence of acidic vesicle organelles (AVOs). In addition, high LC3-II/LC3-I to LC3 ratio has been observed qualitatively in Western blot analysis indicating an increase number of autophagosomes formation in LED 660 nm irradiated cells compared to control cells. Electron dense bodies observed in these cells under TEM micrographs provided additional support to the above observations, leading to the conclusion that LED 660 nm irradiation promoted anti-proliferative activities through autophagy in breast cancer-origin cells. These findings have suggested that LED 660 nm might be developed and be employed as an alternative cancer treatment method in future.