The presence of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer cell lines can be exploited to find the modulatory potential of phytochemicals on steroid hormone synthesis in MCF -7 cell lines. The current study was conducted to examine the modulatory potential methanolic extract of
Malllotus philippensis leaves on steroid hormone synthesis in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The locally collected leaves of
M. phillippensis were shade dried, pulverized and extracted using methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus, which was concentrated and stored. The phytochemicals were identified qualitatively. MTT assay was carried out to assess the
in vitro cytotoxic effects of methanolic extract of
M. philippensis in MCF-7 cells at dosage rates of 320, 160, 80, 40, 20, 10 µg/mL. From the results of MTT assay, per cent cell viability, inhibition and IC
50 were determined. The cells at concentration 1×10
5 cells/mL were seeded in 6 well plate and incubated with the extract at doses of IC
50, half and twice IC
50 for 96 hrs, media was collected after 48 and 96hrs and used to quantify the concentration of oestrogen and progesterone using ELISA. Alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, diterpenes and phenols were identified by qualitative phytochemical analysis of extract of
M. philippenisis. The MTT assay revealed a dose dependent cytotoxicity of the extract in MCF-7 cell lines with an IC
50 of 190µg/mL. Methanolic extract of
M. phillippensis showed a dose and time dependent increase in oestrogen concentration as well as a dose dependent decrease in progesterone concentrations in the culture media. Based on the findings of the present study
, M. phillippensis induced a positive modulation of oestrogen production which might be the reason for low progesterone levels.