Inhibitory effects of probiotic Bacillus coagulans against MCF7 breast cancer cells

Background and Objectives: Secondary metabolites in the supernatants of probiotic microorganisms have shown antican- cer effects. The present study was aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of Bacillus coagulans supernatants and their role in apoptosis induction in MCF7 cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The inhibition of MCF7 cancer cells by Bacillus coagulans supernatants was assessed by MTT assay at three exposure times of 24, 48, and 72 h. Apoptosis induction was explored by flow cytometry while the expression levels of bax, caspase 3, caspase 9, and bcl2 were examined by real-time PCR and compared with normal HFF cells. Results: Bacillus coagulans supernatants exhibited inhibitory effects on MCF7 cells in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner; while lower cytotoxic effects were observed in normal HFF cells. The increase in the expression of bax, caspase 3, and caspase 9 genes and the decrease in the anti-apoptotic gene of bcl2, along with the flow cytometry results, confirmed the induction of apoptosis in the cancer cells. Conclusion: Regarding the cytotoxic influence of Bacillus coagulans supernatants against breast cancer cells, this bacterium can be considered as a potential candidate for a novel therapeutic strategy with lower side effects which of course requires further investigations.

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The Synergistic Combination of Cisplatin and Piperine Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cell Line

Iranian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.18502/ijph.v50i5.6121 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abolfazl Fattah ◽

Ali Morovati ◽

Zahra Niknam ◽

Ladan Mashouri ◽

Amirhooman Asadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Line ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Assay Method ◽

Caspase 9 ◽

Mcf 7

Background: Piperine is a natural compound obtained from the Piper nigrum that exhibits anti-proliferative and anti-cancer activity in cancer cell lines. We analyzed the cytotoxic effect of piperine combined with cisplatin compound in the human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and the underlying mechanism. Methods: The present in vitro study was performed on MCF-7 cell line in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences between, Jahrom, Iran from 2016 to 2017. Cultured MCF-7 cells were seeded into four groups: a control group (untreated group), a group treated with cisplatin, a group treated with piperine and a group treated with cisplatin and piperine. Cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay method. Flow c-ytometric analysis was investigated for apoptosis. The mRNA and protein expression of the apoptotic regulators p53, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3 and caspase 9 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting analysis. Results: Piperine (20 and 30 µM) in combination with cisplatin (5, 10 and 15 µM) for 24 h synergistically inhibited cell viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells more than piperine and cisplatin used alone. Synergistic antibreast cancer activities cisplatin (5 µM) and piperine (20 µM) were via inducing apoptosis. Piperine (20 µM) and cisplatin (5 µM) for 24 h induce apoptosis strongly through reduction of Bcl-2 and increase of caspase 3, p53, caspase 9, and Bax. Conclusion: Piperine in combination with cisplatin could trigger p53-mediated apoptosis more effective than cisplatin alone in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, reducing the toxic dose of cisplatin used in cancer chemotherapy.

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Induction of Apoptosis and Autophagy by Ternary Copper Complex Towards Breast Cancer Cells

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520621666210726132543 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Zheng Yang Lee ◽

Chee Hong Leong ◽

Krystal U Ling Lim ◽

Christopher Chun Sing Wong ◽

Pornwasu Pongtheerawan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cell Cycle ◽

Growth Inhibition ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Copper Complex ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Caspase 9 ◽

Mcf 7

Background: Copper complex has been gaining much attention in anticancer research as targeted agent since cancer cells uptake more copper than non-cancerous cells. Our group has synthesised a ternary copper complex which is composed of 1,10-phenanthroline and tyrosine [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20. These two payloads are designed to cleave DNA and inhibit protein degradation system (proteasome) concurrently in cancer cells, making this copper complex a dual-target compound. Objective: Current study was carried out to investigate the mode of cell death and role of autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Methods: Growth inhibition of [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 towards MDA-MB-231 and human non-cancerous MCF10A breast cells was determined by MTT assay. Annexin-V-FITC/PI and cell cycle analysis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of p53, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3 and LC3 were determined using western blot analysis. The cells were then co-treated with hydroxychloroquine to ascertain the role of autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20. Results: [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 inhibited the growth of cancer cells dose-dependently with less toxicity towards MCF10A cells. Additionally, [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells possibly via regulation of p53, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3 and capase-7. The expression of LC3II was upregulated in both cancer cell lines upon treatment with [Cu(phen)(L-tyr) Cl].3H20, indicating the induction of autophagy. Co-treatment with autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine significantly enhanced growth inhibition of both cell lines, suggesting that the autophagy induced by [Cu(phen)(L-tyr) Cl].3H20 in both breast cancer cells was promoting cell survival. Conclusion: [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl].3H20 holds great potential to be developed for breast cancer treatment.

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