Object: To compare the molecular activity of curcumin and resveratrol on selected breast cancer protein receptors and to investigate their combination for synergism against human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line. Method: Curcumin and resveratrol were subjected to insilico docking studies using glide to investigate the drug activity against HER2, human oestrogen receptor, ERBB2, epidermal growth factor tyrosine protein kinase C-SRC, and HSP90 proteins. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability of curcumin and resveratrol individually and in combination at 1:1,1:3 and 3:1 ratio respectively. Results: The insilico study revealed good glide score and glide energy for these drugs against breast cancer protein. Curcumin and resveratrol has more binding affinity for proteins with varying amino acid interaction sites. IC50 for curcumin and resveratrol was observed to be 21.29 and 38.30 μg/ml respectively. IC50 for the combined treatment with curcumin and resveratrol at the ratio of 1:1,1:3 and 3:1 were observed to be 28.06, 15.20 and 8.29 μg/ml respectively. Combined treatment of curcumin and resveratrol at equal ratio exhibited additive effects while at the ratio of 1:3 and 3:1 exhibited a strong synergistic effect on the cytotoxicity of MCF-7 cell line. Conclusion: Insilico docking analysis helped in identifying and organizing the structural similarity/diversity at the molecular level activity of curcumin and resveratrol. In vitro cell line study provides an insight into the potential application of curcumin and resveratrol codelivery for the chemoprevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Key words: Combinatorial effect, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Human breast cancer MCF -7 cells, Insilico anticancer screening, Synergism.