Effect of hypericin on the ADAMTS-9 and ADAMTS-8 gene expression in MCF7 breast cancer cells

To investigate the effects of hypericin which is obtained from the plant Hypericum perforatum on the expression and the regulation of ADAMTS8 and ADAMTS9 genes in MCF7 breast cancer cells and on the viability of these cells.

MCF7 cells were cultured and were separately exposed to 2, 10 and 50 µl/mL of hypericin. After 24 hours, RNA was isolated from these cells and converted to cDNA. The expression levels of ADAMTS8 and ADAMTS9 genes were evaluated using the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide, disodium salt) cell viability assay was used to determine cytotoxicity.

ADAMTS9 expression in MCF7 cells were increased 1.8 and 3.6 fold with the use of 2 and 10 µl/mL of hypericin, respectively; and decreased 0.7 fold with the use of 50 µl/mL of hypericin. There was no significant change in the ADAMTS8 expression. Rapid cell death was observed in the cancer cells when hypericin was used at a dose of ≥ 50 µl/mL.

The increase in ADAMTS9 expression can be a useful factor in the prevention of possible metastasis in breast cancer and for the occurrence of a tumor suppressive effect. Hypericin increases the expression of ADAMTS9, therefore, it may show its antitumoral and antiapoptotic effects by means of ADAMTS9.