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Biomolecules
Volume 16
Issue 6
10.3390/biom16060861
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

A Pyrone Glucoside from Maerua angolensis Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis and Targets AKT1, PARP-1, and Caspase-7 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

by
Jamila Aminu
1,2,3,
Amina Jega Yusuf
1,
Bor-Jang Hwang
4,
Sonia Kamran
1,
Nasiru Abdullahi
2,
Adamu Jibril Alhassan
2,
John Obadipe
4,
Valerie Odero-Marah
4,
Hajjagana Hamza
3,
Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba
5,
James Wachira
4,* and
Jiangnan Peng
1,*
1
Department of Chemistry, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
2
Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Gwarzo Road, Kano, Nigeria
3
Department of Biochemistry, Gombe State University, P.M.B. 127, Tudun Wada, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
4
Department of Biology, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
5
Department of Biostatistics and Medical Information, Faculty of Medicine, İstinye University, 34396 Istanbul, Türkiye
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biomolecules 2026, 16(6), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060861 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 30 April 2026 / Revised: 6 June 2026 / Accepted: 8 June 2026 / Published: 11 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in the Natural and Bio-Derived Molecules Section)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking effective targeted therapies, highlighting the need for new anticancer agents. Natural products remain a valuable source of bioactive compounds with diverse mechanisms of action. In this study, a pyrone glucoside, 7-hydroxymaltol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, was isolated from the methanolic leaf extract of Maerua angolensis and evaluated for its anticancer activity against TNBC cells. Structural elucidation was achieved using NMR and LC–MS analyses. Both the crude extract and the isolated compound exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-468 cells, with IC50 values of 2.94 and 0.78 µg/mL, respectively, while showing reduced toxicity toward MCF10A normal cells. Mechanistic studies revealed induction of apoptosis, evidenced by activation of caspase-9 and caspase-7 and PARP cleavage. Confocal imaging further demonstrated lysosomal disruption and nuclear morphological alterations consistent with stress-associated cell death. Gene expression analysis indicated minimal involvement of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Molecular docking showed favorable binding of the compound to AKT1, PARP-1, and caspase-7, suggesting a multi-target mode of action. ADMET analysis indicated low oral bioavailability but a favorable safety profile. These findings highlight the potential of this compound as a lead for TNBC therapy.
Keywords: Maerua angolensis; cytotoxic activity; pyrone glucoside; MDA-MB-468 cells; triple-negative breast cancer Maerua angolensis; cytotoxic activity; pyrone glucoside; MDA-MB-468 cells; triple-negative breast cancer

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MDPI and ACS Style

Aminu, J.; Yusuf, A.J.; Hwang, B.-J.; Kamran, S.; Abdullahi, N.; Alhassan, A.J.; Obadipe, J.; Odero-Marah, V.; Hamza, H.; Uba, A.I.; et al. A Pyrone Glucoside from Maerua angolensis Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis and Targets AKT1, PARP-1, and Caspase-7 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Biomolecules 2026, 16, 861. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060861

AMA Style

Aminu J, Yusuf AJ, Hwang B-J, Kamran S, Abdullahi N, Alhassan AJ, Obadipe J, Odero-Marah V, Hamza H, Uba AI, et al. A Pyrone Glucoside from Maerua angolensis Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis and Targets AKT1, PARP-1, and Caspase-7 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Biomolecules. 2026; 16(6):861. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060861

Chicago/Turabian Style

Aminu, Jamila, Amina Jega Yusuf, Bor-Jang Hwang, Sonia Kamran, Nasiru Abdullahi, Adamu Jibril Alhassan, John Obadipe, Valerie Odero-Marah, Hajjagana Hamza, Abdullahi Ibrahim Uba, and et al. 2026. "A Pyrone Glucoside from Maerua angolensis Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis and Targets AKT1, PARP-1, and Caspase-7 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer" Biomolecules 16, no. 6: 861. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060861

APA Style

Aminu, J., Yusuf, A. J., Hwang, B.-J., Kamran, S., Abdullahi, N., Alhassan, A. J., Obadipe, J., Odero-Marah, V., Hamza, H., Uba, A. I., Wachira, J., & Peng, J. (2026). A Pyrone Glucoside from Maerua angolensis Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis and Targets AKT1, PARP-1, and Caspase-7 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Biomolecules, 16(6), 861. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060861

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