Luffa cylindrica flower extract induces apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer cells

Background: Luffa cylindrica flower has been used to treat haemorrhoids and breast hyperplasia, but the mechanism is unclear. Objectives: In this study, the antiproliferation activity of L. cylindrica flower extract (LCFE) was tested in breast cancer cells. Methods: Following LCFE treatment, the CCK-8 assay, Hoechst staining and wound healing assay were used to evaluate cell proliferation, apoptotic cell morphology, and cell migration, respectively. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to analyze the expression of genes and proteins involved in the apoptosis and autophagy pathways. LC-MS was performed to characterize chemical constituents of LCFE. Results: CCK-8 and wound healing assays revealed that LCFE suppressed the proliferation and migration of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In these two breast cancer cells, the extract treatment induced apoptotic morphological changes. LCFE treatment induced apoptosis by upregulating ZFP36 and BNIP3 expression, while downregulating Bcl-2 expression in MCF-7 cells. LCFE increases ZFP36 expression while decreasing BMP4 expression in MDA-MB-231 cells, promoting apoptosis. Meanwhile, LCFE treatment induced autophagy by increasing VMP1 expression and activating LC3 in MCF-7 cells. It also triggered autophagy by decreasing TBC1D14 expression, increasing ATG5 and VAMP8 expression, and activating LC3 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: LCFE exerts an anti-tumor effect by activating apoptosis and autophagy processes in breast cancer cells, while having low cytotoxicity for normal breast cells, highlighting the potential of LCFE as a natural agent for cancer treatment.