Brazilein Increased Cytotoxic Activity of Doxorubicin on MCF-7/DOX Cells

Brazilein is a compound obtained in a large amount from the dried heartwood of Secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.). Brazilein has strong cytotoxic effect in several cancer cell lines. This research was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of brazilein and its combination with a chemotherapy agent, doxorubicin on MCF-7/DOX breast cancer cells. In the cytotoxicity assay, MCF-7/DOX cells were cultured in the presence of brazilein solely and in combination with doxorubicin for 24 hours and cell viability was evaluated by using MTT assay. MTT assay showed a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation with IC50 value of 37 µM. Brazilein increased doxorubicin’s cytotoxic activity on MCF-7/DOX cells. Both of single treatment with different concentration of brazilein 12.5 and 25 mM or doxorubicin 0.8 and 1 mM gave cell viability percentage above 80%, but combination of them led to decrease the cell viability percentage significantly. Based on this research, it can be concluded that brazilein is potential to be developed as a co-chemotherapy agent on breast cancer cell that have been resistant to doxorubicin. Futher study must be held to evaluate its molecular mechanism. Keywords : brazilein, doxorubicin, MCF-7/DOX, cytotoxic