Assessment of the anticancer function of <i>Coronilla orientalis</i> MILLER through comprehensive <i>in vitro</i> and computational studies

Abstract Objectives Although many synthetic anticancer drugs are available, a significant proportion of human therapeutics in the anticancer armamentarium are derived from natural products. The aim of this study to examine the anticancer effects of natural compounds against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer, which remain among the world’s greatest obstacles. Methods Coronilla orientalis MILLER (CO) was collected in Erzincan, Türkiye, prepared, and extracted with 70 % ethanol. CO was then tested against A549 NSCLC and MCF-7 breast cancer cells using the MTT assay. To explore its potential anticancer mechanism, the apoptotic effects of CO in A549 and MCF-7 cells and the kinase inhibitory effects of CO were investigated using the Annexin V/ethidium homodimer III staining assay and the ADP-Glo kinase assay, respectively. Molecular docking studies were also performed for several major components of CO in the ATP binding site of EGFR. Results The results showed that CO, with IC 50 values of 2.37 ± 0.59 μg/mL and 7.60 ± 1.18 μg/mL, exhibited anticancer activity against A549 cells and MCF-7 cells, respectively. CO was also selectively cytotoxic between Jurkat cells and PBMCs (healthy). CO-treated A549 and MCF-7 cells were found to undergo significant apoptosis and CO was found to inhibit EGFR. Molecular docking studies revealed the interaction of some defined components of CO with key residues in the ATP binding site of EGFR. Conclusions Taken together, this research has shown that CO has a great deal of potential as an inhibitor of the anticancer function against NSCLC and breast cancer, and warrants further investigation.