Antiproliferation activity of tuber protein from Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) blume on MCF-7 cell line

Typhonium sp. (keladi tikus) has been traditionally used as anticancer in Indonesia. This plant produces lectin as an active plant protein in the tuber. Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume is widely distributed in the country and no information about the tuber protein of this plant is available. It is necessary to evaluate lectin content of the tuber protein and its antiproliferative effect toward MCF-7 cell line. The tuber protein extracts of T. flagelliforme from various locations (Bogor, Singaraja, Merapi Farm, Indmira, Ogan Ilir, Matesih, and Solok) were obtained from 1, 3, 5, and 6 months old plant. The presence of lectin in those extracts was analyzed based on hemagglutination activity, while the toxicity effect was evaluated using brine shrimp lethality test. The extract with the highest lectin level and toxicity was further evaluated against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and fibroblast cell line for antiproliferative and cytotoxicity assay, respectively. The results showed that the lectin level of T. flagelliforme from all accessions increased during the growing period. The Bogor accession showed the highest lectin content, while the highest toxicity effect was found in Solok accession. Those extracts showed antiproliferative effect against MCF-7 cells, and nontoxic for fibroblast cells until 100 ppm. Therefore, the tuber protein extract of T. flagelliforme is potential for breast cancer treatment.