RESULTS: Total scores obtained from the selected nutritional criteria ranked MSCF, with total score of 15, as the lowest and thus it was considered to have the most desirable nutritional characteristics compared to MF, MSF and FWMF, which had respective total scores of 31, 22 and 20.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The leaves extracts were analysed for its antiproliferative effect on breast cancer (MCF7) cells and normal epithelial breast (MCF 10A) cells using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The selective extract was evaluated for its ability to induce apoptosis using Annexin V-FITC apoptosis staining and the expression of molecular genes using qualitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) against MCF7 cells. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the compounds from the selective extract. The findings showed that dichloromethane fraction (CV-Dcm) extract had high antiproliferative effect against MCF7 cells (IC50 = 24 µg/mL, selective index (SI) = 8.17). The percentages of apoptosis cells in CV-Dcm-treated MCF7 cells was 58.8%. The CV-Dcm extract induced downregulation of PCNA level. The apoptotic genes were also triggered in both extrinsic and intrinsic signaling pathways, affecting a 1.5-fold increase in BAX, 1.4-fold increase in cytochrome c, 1.3-fold increase in caspase-8, 1.7-fold increase in caspase-3 and 0.5-fold-decrease in BCL-2. Treated MCF7 cells also activated P53-dependent apoptotic death pathway.