Assessment of Locusta migratoria Protein Extract's Anticancer Potential on Breast Cancer Cells in vitro

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Recently, insect-derived proteins have attracted interest due to their potential anticancer properties. This study investigates the effects of enzymatically extracted proteins from Locusta migratoria on the cell viability, scratch-wound, morphological changes, and colony-forming ability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Locusta migratoria enzymatic extract was applied to MCF-7 cells. Following treatment, the cytotoxic effect of the protein extract on the MCF-7 cells were evaluated using MTT assay, colony formation assay, scratch-wound assay, and Toluidine Blue staining. Cell viability decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with the protein extracts (p < 0.0001). Colony formation was also reduced as the protein concentration increased. Also, in MCF-7 cells, the control group showed approximately 90% wound closure in contrast to the 20.17- 97.25% opening observed in cells treated with protein extract. Morphological changes such as loss of appendages, nuclear condensation, chromatin compaction, and an increase in apoptotic bodies, indicating enhanced apoptosis, were observed in the cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study examining the biological effects on MCF-7 cells of protein extracts from Locusta migratoria generated enzymatically. In conclusion, enzymatically extracted proteins from Locusta migratoria exhibit significant cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on MCF-7 cells in vitro. These findings suggest that such protein extracts may represent a promising source of bioactive compounds for breast cancer treatment. However, further studies are required to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and to evaluate their selectivity and safety profiles.