Combined Goniothalamin And Sol-Gel Derived Bioactive Glass 45S5 Enhances Growth Inhibitory Activity Via Apoptosis Induction And Cell Cycle Arrest In Breast Cancer Cells MCF-7

Abstract Background: Combination of natural product with chemically synthesised biomaterials as cancer therapy creates many interests lately. Hence, this study aims to investigate the combined effects of goniothalamin and bioactive glass 45S5 (GTN-BG) and evaluate their anticancer properties on human breast cancer cells MCF-7.Methods: The BG 45S5 was prepared using sol-gel process followed by characterisation using PSA, BET, SEM/EDS, XRD and FTIR. The effects of GTN-BG on the proliferation of MCF-7 were assessed by MTT, presto-blue and scratch wound assay. The cell cycle analysis, annexin-FITC assay and activation of caspase 3/7, 8 and 9 assays were determined to further explore its mechanism of action.Results: The synthesised BG 45S5 was classified as a fine powder, having rough surface, and contains mesopores of 12.6 nm. EDS analysis revealed that silica and calcium elements are the primary components of BG powders. Both crystalline and amorphous structures were detected with 73% and 27% similarity to that of Na2Ca2(Si2O7) and hydroxyapatite, respectively. The combination of GTN-BG was more potent than GTN in inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. G0/G1 and G2/M phases of cell cycle were arrested by GTN and GTN-BG. The percentage of viable cells in GTN-BG treatment was significantly lower than GTN. In terms of activation of initiator caspases for both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were found more effective in response to GTN-BG than GTN.Conclusion: The anticancer effects of GTN in MCF-7 cells was improved when combined with BG. The findings provide significant insight into the mechanism of GTN-BG against the MCF-7 cells, which can potentially be used as a novel anticancer therapeutic approach.