Phytochemical fractions from Annona muricata seeds and fruit pulp inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells through cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase

Introduction: Annona muricata (L.) (AM), commonly known as Soursop and Lakshmanaphala/Hanumaphala in India, has been extensively used in ethnomedicine for treating tuberculosis, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cancers. The fruit is a rich source of antioxidants and antitumor agents. Methods: In this study, we have extracted phytochemicals that exhibited anti-cancer property from the (a) fruit pulp using methanol (AMPM) and water (AMPW); and (b) seeds using methanol (AMSM). Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, terpenoids, carbohydrates and proteins in AMPM and AMPW. All three extracts were first checked for in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and then tested for efficacy against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Results: Among these three extracts, AMSM showed the highest antioxidant power as well as similar to 80% inhibition at 320 mu g/ml concentration in both cell lines upon treatment for 24h. However, only about 40% inhibition was observed with 320 mu g/ml AMPM treatment, despite its highest anti-inflammatory potential. Water extract AMPW exhibited about 80% growth inhibition at 50% dilution. Since fruit pulp is the one consumed, the extracts AMPM and AMPW were further tested for apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. Analysis of the data showed increased apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest upon exposure to AMPM and AMPW