Semecarpus anacardium Linn. leaf extract exhibits activities against breast cancer and prolongs the survival of tumor-bearing mice

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. is commonly used in various traditional medicines from ancient times. The nuts have been described in Ayurveda medication systems to treat numerous clinical ailments. However, isolating phytochemical constituents from nuts remains challenging and exhibits cytotoxic effects on other cells. In this study, we have standardized procedures for isolating phytochemicals from the leaf extract. The ethyl acetate leaf extract selectively affects cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50: 0.57 mu/ml in MCF-7 cells) in various cancer cell lines. Next, we examined if the extract incubation could induce cell cycle arrest and suppress cell migration in the cell culture model. Consistent with this idea, the leaf extract could potentially affect the aggressive migration nature of cancer cells. Moreover, oral administration of extract significantly restored tumor growth in mice. Together, these observations suggest the anti-cancer activities of S. anacardium leaf potential for both in vitro and in vivo models.