The effect of purified condensed tannins of the flowers of plane trees on the malignant activities of breast cancer cells

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq

2 Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq.

3 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, 10011, Iraq.

4 Continuing Education Center, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, 14022, Iraq.

10.22103/jab.2026.27225.1908

Abstract

Objective
Platanus (plane tree) flowers are rich in condensed tannins (CTs), which have been reported to possess various bioactive properties. However, their specific anti-cancer effects on triple-negative breast cancer cells remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of purified Platanus flower CTs on cellular proliferation, migration, and the expression of key malignant-related genes (PCNA and MMP9) in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.
Materials and methods
MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with serial concentrations of purified Platanus flower CTs (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL). Cellular proliferation was assessed by calculating doubling time using time-lapse microscopy and ImageJ single-cell tracking. Migration was evaluated using a wound-healing assay. Gene expression levels of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) were measured by RT-qPCR. Cell division rates and wound-healing migration were continuously monitored using the Axio Imager time-lapse system. Statistical analyses were conducted using GraphPad Prism software
Results
Time-lapse analyses showed a clear dose-dependent response. Higher CT concentrations (2.5 and 5 mg/mL) induced complete cell death within the first hour. Treatment at 1.25 mg/mL produced a potent cytostatic effect without acute toxicity, significantly extending the doubling time from approximately 18 hours (control) to approximately 22 hours (P < 0.05). The wound-healing assay revealed significantly reduced wound closure (65-75%) after 24 hours compared to control (80-95%; P < 0.05). Molecular analysis demonstrated that 1.25 mg/mL CTs downregulated PCNA expression by 65% and MMP9 expression by 40%. The pattern of differential gene expression observed herein is fully concordant with both proliferation and migration assays.
Conclusions
Purified condensed tannins isolated from Platanus flowers demonstrate significant anti-malignant activity against MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells through a dual mechanism: suppressing proliferation via PCNA downregulation and inhibiting migration via MMP9 downregulation. These findings support the potential of Platanus flower CTs as promising candidates for anti-cancer drug development.

Keywords

References

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Available Online from 03 July 2026

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