Induction of cellular apoptosis in human breast cancer by DLBS1425, a Phaleria macrocarpa compound extract, via down-regulation of PI3-kinase/AKT pathway

Phaleria macrocarpa, also known as Mahkota dewa, is an Indonesian native plant that has been used as a remedy for many diseases. However, the molecular mechanism of Phaleria macrocarpa is still limited. In this study, we evaluate its molecular mechanism using a bioactivity-guided DLBS1425, an extract of Phaleria macrocarpa on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. DLBS1425 exhibited inhibition of proliferative, migratory and invasive potential of MDA-MB-231 in a dose-dependent manner, and significantly reduced phosphoinositide-3 (PI3)-kinase/protein kinase B (AKT) signalling by reducing PI3K transcript level and subsequent reduction in AKT phosphorylation. Further, it induced pro-apoptotic genes including BAX, BAD and PUMA and consequently induces cellular death signal by caspase-9 activation, promoting PARP cleavage and DNA fragmentation. Our results suggest that DLBS1425 is a potential anticancer agent which targets genes involved in both cell survival and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.