Anticancer effect of Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and Its Antimicrobial Properties

Breast cancer treatment presents significant challenges, with various therapeutic modalities often associated with side effects. Natural plant-derived compounds offer promising alternatives. Vitex negundo is a medicinal plant often used in ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments, some of which have been scientifically validated. Vitex negundo offers a potential natural alternative to conventional breast cancer treatments. In this context, Vitex negundo ethanolic extract has demonstrated to have potent activity against the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Vitex negundo extracts expressed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against MCF-7, with increasing extract concentrations correlating to decreased cell viability. Notably, the extract selectively suppressed MCF-7 cell growth, with an inhibitory concentration of about 1000 μg/mL. Importantly, the extract appears to selectively target cancer cells, sparing normal, healthy cells. This selectivity is crucial for minimizing side effects often associated with conventional cancer treatments. Vitex negundo serves as a potential indigenous antimicrobial agent that has been evaluated by the paper disc method to identify microorganisms susceptible to the ethanolic extract. The results based on the well-diffusion method confirmed the extracts of antimicrobial activity against sensitive microorganisms.