Plants have a history of being employed in managing breast
cancer.
However, no scientific evidence supports the idea that these plants
can effectively reduce the level of HER2 expression. In this study,
extracts from 10 medicinal plants were evaluated for their anticancer
properties against HER2-positive breast cancer cells through various
methods, including the SRB assay, comet assay, annexin V-FITC dual
staining, and immunoblotting. All extracts exerted antiproliferative
activity against HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Terminalia chebula (T. chebula), Berberis aristata (B. aristata), and Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) reduced HER2 expression in tested
cell lines. In addition, an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was observed
after the treatment. A comparative proteomics study showed modulation
in the proteome profile of breast cancer cells after treatment with T. chebula, B. aristata, Punica granatum, M. pruriens, and Acorus calamus. Metabolic profiling
of lead plants revealed the existence of multiple anticancer compounds.
Our study demonstrates the considerable potential of the mentioned
plants as innovative therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer.