Exploring the antiproliferative activity of Unani formulation Itrifal Aftimoon (IA) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells: An In vitro screening

Authors

  • Salman Suhail Khan Department of Ilmul Advia, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India.
  • Lahari Kuna BCMB, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India.
  • Sidama Gopal DSRU, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India.
  • Tasleem Ahmad BCMB, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India.
  • Uzma Viquar Department of Ilmul Advia, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India.
  • Younis Iftikhar Munshi Deputy Director, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India.
  • Mohammad Zakir Department of Ilmul Advia, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders, Hyderabad, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v16i3.6159

Keywords:

Antioxidant activity, Anticancer activity, Breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, Herbal formulation, Itrifal Aftimoon, Unani

Abstract

Unani physicians provided a comprehensive elucidation of cancer, referred to as Saraṭān, along with several therapeutic approaches for its control. The canonical book of Unani medicine includes formulations composed of several compounds demonstrated to possess anti-cancer properties in humans. This research employed Itrifal Aftimoon (IA), a formulation including ten distinct drugs, to assess its antioxidant and anticancer properties on breast cancer cells. The DPPH assay was employed to assess antioxidant activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while the MTT test was used to evaluate anticancer properties. The formulation was standardized, and HPTLC fingerprinting was conducted in anticipation of its potential future applications. The aqueous extract (AQ) exhibited the maximum activity, with an IC50 value of 61 μg/ml. Subsequently, the methanolic extract (ME) and the hydroethanolic extract (HE) demonstrated IC50 values of 71 μg/ml and 75 μg/ml, respectively while IC50 value for ascorbic acid was 21 µg/ml. The ME, HE, and AQ extracts exhibited anticancer activity with IC50 values of 64 μg/ml, 82 μg/ml, and 83 μg/ml, respectively. This contrasted with paclitaxel, which exhibited an IC50 value of 18 μg/ml. This study offers essential insights into the potential use of IA as a therapy for breast cancer.

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Published

2025-09-30

How to Cite

Khan, S. S., Kuna, L., Gopal, S., Ahmad, T., Viquar, U., Munshi, Y. I., & Zakir, M. (2025). Exploring the antiproliferative activity of Unani formulation Itrifal Aftimoon (IA) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells: An In vitro screening. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 16(3), 687–694. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v16i3.6159

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2025): July - September 2025

Section

Research Articles

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