Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY, CELL-CYCLE ARREST, AND APOPTOTIC INDUCTION BY CAPSICUM ANNUUM ON BREAST CANCER CELLS

Shereen Bazid, Amr Negm* and Magdy Youssef

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is considered one of the causes of death in worldwide. Medicinal plants and their extracted natural compounds were used for the treatment of many diseases. Herein, we investigate the cytotoxic effects of Capsicum annuum against MCF-7 cell line, and hence may ultimately be important in the prevention or treatment of breast cancer. Furthermore, to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) involved in the antiproliferation activity. Measurement of antioxidant activity of all extracts, via different assays, proliferation and apoptotic markers like viability assay, annexin-V/PI, cell cycle distribution and gene expression. Fractions with highest antioxidant activity were analyzed by GC-MASS. Antioxidant activity results indicated that the most potent radical scavenging properties of fractions were (Methylene chloride, Ethyl acetate, Petroleum ether and n-butanol). MTT assay, apoptosis and RT-PCR show that cell viability lowered in samples and raised apoptotic induction in MCF-7 cell line. Mechanism of this treatment method was confirmed by RT-PCR where down-regulation of Bcl-2, Her-2 expression genes in case of methylene chloride and ethyl acetate extracts compared to the other fractions; also it showed an increase in “the pre-apoptotic genes” Bax and P53. GC-MS dedicated the presence of main constituents which act as anticancer in Capsicum annuum. Capsicum annuum has antioxidant and anticancer activity and this is contributed by the phytochemicals content. Capsicum annuum can be considered as a promising agent for the clinical treatment of breast cancer.

Keywords: breast cancer, Capsicum annuum, Hot Chili Peppers, MCF7, antiproliferative activity, cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis.