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Updated: Jul 19, 2025
Cellular Toxicity of Nanogenomedicine in MCF-7 Cell Line: MTT assay
Published on: April 3, 2009
Cyanidin 3-glycoside induced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line
Seyed Abbas Mirmalek1, Sholeh Faraji2, Sanaz Ranjbaran2
1Department of Surgery, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction:
Breast cancer is the major leading cause of death from cancer among women. Given the drug resistance seen during the treatment of this disease, it is very important to identify new therapies and new anticancer drugs. Some studies indicate the cytotoxic effects of cyanidin 3-glycoside (C3G). Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the anticancer effect of C3G in the treatment of the MCF-7 cell line.
Material And Methods:
In this study, the MCF-7 cell line was treated with different concentrations of C3G for 24 and 48 h. Assessment of cell death was performed by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis rate was measured using an Annexin V/propidium iodide assay through flow cytometry. The expression levels of p53, Bax, Caspase3, CYP1, CYP2, and Bcl2 genes were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting was performed for CYP1 to confirm the results.
Results:
Our findings showed that C3G has dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on the MCF-7 cell line. According to flow cytometry results, the apoptosis of the cells 24 h after exposure to C3G was more than 51.5%. Moreover, after 24 h of exposure to the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of C3G, the expression of p53, Bax, Caspase3, CYP1, and CYP2 genes increased, and the expression of Bcl2 gene decreased. The Western blotting showed that CYP1 protein increased 2-fold compared to the control sample.
Conclusions:
The results of this study demonstrated that C3G has apoptotic and cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. Therefore, it is likely that this substance could be a suitable option for cancer therapy.
Insights
Cyanidin 3-glycoside (C3G) exhibits dose-dependent cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on breast cancer cells. This natural compound shows promise as a potential new therapy for breast cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women.
- Drug resistance necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic agents and anticancer drugs.
- Cyanidin 3-glycoside (C3G) has demonstrated potential cytotoxic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticancer effects of C3G on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.
- To evaluate the impact of C3G on cell viability and apoptosis.
- To analyze the modulation of key gene expressions involved in cell death pathways.
Main Methods:
- MCF-7 cells were treated with varying concentrations of C3G for 24 and 48 hours.
- Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay.
- Apoptosis was quantified via Annexin V/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry.
- Gene expression of p53, Bax, Caspase3, CYP1, CYP2, and Bcl2 was analyzed by PCR.
- CYP1 protein levels were confirmed by Western blotting.
Main Results:
- C3G demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells.
- Over 51.5% of cells underwent apoptosis within 24 hours of C3G exposure.
- C3G treatment upregulated the expression of p53, Bax, Caspase3, CYP1, and CYP2.
- C3G treatment downregulated the expression of Bcl2.
- Western blotting confirmed a 2-fold increase in CYP1 protein levels.
Conclusions:
- C3G exhibits significant apoptotic and cytotoxic properties against breast cancer cells.
- The findings suggest C3G's potential as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer.
- Further research into C3G as a cancer therapy is warranted.
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