Induction of Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells by a Semi-Synthetic Derivative of Artemisinin: A Caspase-Related Mechanism

Iranian Journal of Biotechnology
Leila JamalzadehReyhaneh Sariri

Abstract

Background: Artesunate has recently been used in some pharmacological preparation to induce tumor cell apoptosis. The drug is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, traditionally used for its antimalarial. However, up to now, its anticancer mechanism against different types of tumors is not known. Objectives: The most important purposes of the present research was firstly investigating induction of apoptosis on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by the drug and, in the second place, introducing its possible mechanism of action. Materials and Methods: The MTT assay was used to investigate the inhibitory effect of artesunate on growth of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. For this aim, different concentrations of artesunate were used to treat the cells and flow cytometry assay was done followed by annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The activities of caspase-3, -8 and -9 were then determined by relative assay kits. Results: Based on the results from MTT assay, it was found that artesunate could significantly inhibit the growth of MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. On the other hand, the flow cytometry findings showed that the anti-proliferative activity of artesunate on MCF-7 cells is due to apoptosis. Besides, caspase colorimet...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 18, 2020·Biotechnic & Histochemistry : Official Publication of the Biological Stain Commission·I AktaşA Türk
Dec 22, 2020·Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics·Zahra ChangiziAkram Eidi
Dec 29, 2020·Journal of Ethnopharmacology·Ruju VashiRamesh K Goyal
Aug 31, 2020·International Journal of Biological Macromolecules·Masoud PiraliHossein Ghafouri

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