Effect of alkaloid of achyrantes aspera Linn. (Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae) on increasing caspase 9, caspase 3 and apoptosis in mice with breast cancer

It has been proven that Achyranthes aspera Linn. alkaloid can improve apoptosome (cytochrome C and APAF-1) formation in the mitochondria of cancer cells. However, it is yet to be seen whether chromosome fragmentation by caspase 9 and caspase 3 can induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells in mice. Fifty two-month old adult female mice were used in this study and were equally divided into five groups. Healthy mice (C-) were given orally with 0.5 ml of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solvent, while mice with breast cancer (C+) were given 0.5 ml of 15 mg/kg body weight methotrexate. To test for the effect of alkaloid on breast cancer cells, T0 group, mice with breast cancer, was only administered with 0.5 ml of CMC solvent. T1, T2 and T3 each received 0.5 ml of A. aspera alkaloid, at a dose of 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg body weight. respectively. All groups received the same treatment daily for eight weeks. Rate of apoptosis in mice breast cancer cells and expression of caspase 9 and caspase 3 were measured. This study suggests that Achyranthes aspera alkaloid can increase number of apoptotic cells and enzymes caspase 9 and caspase 3.