From Phytochemical Characterization to Energy Metabolism-Driven Molecular Responses: The Anticancer Potential of (L.) Gray in Breast Cancer Cells.

: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and anticancer potential of methanol and ethanol extracts of (L.) Gray in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, focusing on their effects on energy metabolism and related molecular mechanisms. In samples, total antioxidant activity and total phenolic content were determined spectrophotometrically, while individual phenolics were classified by HPLC and volatile aromatic compounds (VOCs) were determined by GC-MS. The anticancer effects of in MCF-7 breast cancer were determined using RT-qPCR with 46 different genes. Phytochemical profiling via HPLC and GC-MS revealed a rich diversity of bioactive compounds, including significant levels of gallic acid (298.89 µg/g), vanillic acid (191.98 µg/g), and succinic acid (724.73 µg/g). The extracts exhibited robust antioxidant activity and dose-dependent cytotoxicity, reducing cell viability to as low as 5.60% after 72 h. Molecular analysis through Reactome pathway enrichment and expression profiling of 46 genes demonstrated that drives cancer cells into a metabolic impasse by reversing the Warburg effect. Key findings include the significant downregulation of glycolytic genes like / (-12.34) and (-1.71), alongside the repression of mitochondrial TCA cycle regulators such as (-17.81) and (-2.54). This metabolic collapse triggered G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis. : These results align with international benchmarks for species while providing novel insights into the metabolic reprogramming mechanism. The results obtained in this study highlight that emerges as a promising natural agent for therapeutic strategies targeting cancer bioenergetics.