HS-48 Alternative Therapeutics in Breast Cancer: An in-vitro and in-vivo Analysis of Nutraceuticals as Opposed to Traditional Chemotherapy

Introduction Despite advances in targeted radiation and chemotherapy, these cancer treatments pose risks to healthy tissue. Nutraceuticals—plant-derived compounds with medicinal properties—offer a promising alternative with fewer side effects. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of persimmon leaf extract (Diospyros kaki) and Mediterranean herbs (Origanum majorana and Thymus vulgaris) in breast cancer models. Our findings indicate that these extracts exhibit anticarcinogenic, apoptotic, pro-metabolite, and antioxidant effects, suggesting their potential for clinical applications. Methods Plant extracts were prepared using microwave-assisted ethanol extraction, followed by rotary evaporation and drying. Breast cancer cell lines (hormone-positive BT-483, MCF7; triple-negative HTB-26, HCC-38) and non-cancerous breast cells (MCF-12A, MCF-12F) were cultured for testing. Metabolomic profiling was performed using Biolog PMM1-8 plates to assess energy production (NADH) in response to different metabolic effectors. The MTS assay evaluated cell viability, cytotoxicity, and proliferation post-treatment. Zebrafish xenograft models are being used to assess tumor growth, metastasis, and vascularization following immersion in nutraceuticals versus doxorubicin. Gene expression analysis via qRT-PCR will examine cancer-related pathways, focusing on Nf-κB/PI3K/Akt/JNK/MAPK signaling. Results Extracts influenced cancer cell metabolism by reducing anaerobic energy production and altering responses to metabolic effectors, suggesting potential therapeutic targets. Unlike doxorubicin, the extracts did not induce cytotoxicity in healthy cells. In zebrafish models, nutraceuticals may exhibit the same anticarcinogenic effects without the toxic impact observed in doxorubicin-treated xenografts, as indicated by preliminary toxicity screenings. Conclusion Our findings support the potential of these nutraceuticals as alternative therapeutics for breast cancer, demonstrating their ability to regulate cancer-related pathways and metabolic functions. Further mammalian studies and clinical trials are necessary to validate these results and explore their translational applications to human patients.