In-vitro anticancer activity of Asparagus officinalis extracts on breast carcinoma

Around 15% of breast cancer (BC) patients develop resistance to therapy, and for this reason, increasing research is focusing on bioactive molecules derived from natural compounds. In this study, we evaluate the biological activity of Asparagus officinalis aqueous extracts (Asp) in a model of estrogen-responsive breast cancer cell line (MCF7: ER+/HER2-). Cells were treated with 500μg/mL Asp, alone or combined with different concentrations of both the inhibitor of PI3K/Akt pathway (LY294002) or with the anticancer drug paclitaxel (taxol). Analysis of cell cycle was performed by flow-cytometry and p21 and PARP protein levels were evaluated by western blotting. xCELLigence technology was used to analyze real-time migration. Results showed an S-phase cell cycle block, associated with significant modulation of p21 and PARP proteins. Moreover, Asp reduces tumor cell migration, suggesting a role in preventing tumor metastasis. Based on these findings, Asp showed interesting properties as a co-adjuvant agent. Further investigations are needed to verify the involvement of additional proteins in cell cycle regulation, such as cyclins and Rb, and in the apoptosis pathway.