Amalgamation of quercetin with anastrozole and capecitabine: A novel combination to treat breast and colon cancers – An in vitro study

Context: Globally, cancer stands as the principle cause of mortality and immediate attention on its treatment options is required. Natural compounds stay at first priority in encountering novel therapeutics without adverse effects. Aim: The aim of the study is to extract flavonol quercetin from leafy vegetables of Anethum graveolens L. and Raphanus sativus L. and find out its potential in combination with drugs used for chemotherapy to reduce the adverse effects of drugs. Settings and Design: Observational study. Materials And Methods: Column chromatography is used for quercetin extraction and anticancer activity of quercetin + anastrozole and quercetin + capecitabine were determined by (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT), apoptosis assay, cell cycle analysis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase 3 expression. Statistical Analysis Used: Cytotoxic assay results were assessed by mean, standard deviation and ANOVA; and results were compared for determining its significance. Results: The results noted that quercetin at very less concentration (16 and 31 μg/ml on Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 and 43 and 46 μg/ml on COLO 320) in combination with anastrozole and capecitabine was able to control the growth of cells, increase cell death, arrest cell cycle, and induce mitochondrial depolarization and expression of caspase 3. Conclusions: The natural compound used in the present study is effective in treating breast and colon cancer at minimal concentrations in combination with the drugs. This combinational treatment appears to be reported for the first time in the present study.