Induction of DNA damage by the leaves and rhizomes of Curcuma amada Roxb in breast cancer cell lines

Abstract Objective To evaluate DNA damage inducing effect of the methanolic extract of both the leaves and the rhizomes of Curcuma amada ( C. amada ) against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA MB 231 and analyze the active components present in the methanolic extract of the leaves and the rhizomes. Methods The DNA damage induced in yeast was assessed using diphenylamine method. The DNA damage induced by the extracts in cell lines was assessed using single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet assay). Various phytochemicals present in the leaves and the rhizomes were analysed using various chromatographic and spectral studies. A normal non-cancer cell line HBL-100 and an eukaryotic model organism yeast was also used for comparison. Results The results indicated that the methanolic extract of both the leaves and the rhizomes of C. amada induced cell death in the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA MB 231. The extracts showed less DNA damage in yeast and HBL-100 cells. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of more amounts of terpenoids and steroids in both the leaves and rhizomes. Conclusions The results indicated that the methanolic extract of leaves of rhizomes of C. amada possess genotoxic and cytotoxic activity against the breast cancer cell lines.