Evaluation of the Effects of Date Palm Leaf Extract (Phoenix dactylifera) on EGFR Gene Expression in the MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Line
Phoenix dactylifera leaf extract significantly reduces EGFR gene expression in the MDA-MB-231 triple‑negative breast cancer cell line at a concentration of 250 µg/mL.
Triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 0–20% of breast cancer cases and is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 expression, limiting the effectiveness of targeted therapies. Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), present in up to 60% of TNBC cases, promotes tumor growth and metastatic spread. This study evaluated the effects of Phoenix dactylifera leaf extract on EGFR gene expression in the MDA‑M‑B‑231 cell line to investigate its potential as an anticancer herbal medicine. The extract was treated at 10, 50, and 250 µg/mL for 24 h; cell viability was assessed using Alamar Blue, and EGFR expression quantified by qRT‑PCR. Phoenix dactylifera leaf extract significantly reduced EGFR gene expression at 250 µg/mL (P = 0.010); cell viability did not differ between treated and control cells. Phoenix dactylifera leaf extract may have potential as a low‑toxicity nutraceutical alternative to conventional EGFR inhibitors, but additional studies are required to validate its clinical application.
EGFR is overexpressed in roughly 60% of TNBC and drives tumor growth, so reducing its expression with a low‑toxicity natural extract could provide a novel therapeutic strategy for patients who lack effective targeted treatments.
Evidence level: Sejtvonalas. Laboratóriumi sejtekben vizsgálták.
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