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Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ferula gummosa Boiss: extract on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line

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Abstract

Purpose

Ferula gummosa Boiss. is a well-known and valuable medicinal plant in Iran. Research has shown that this plant has several pharmacological properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and etc. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxic properties of F. gummosa Boiss. extract in MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods

The cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic properties of the extract were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and propidium iodide (PI) stained cells, respectively. Apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated by annexin V-PI staining. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS),malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined to evaluate oxidative stress. The cell migration and the gene expression were assessed by scratch assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR), respectively.

Results

The extract of F. gummosa decreased the viability and cell cycle progression of MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis and necrosis, increasing ROS and MDA levels, and decreasing GSH levels and SOD activity. It also lowered the cells’ migration capability by enhancing p53 mRNA levels and reducing MMP-9 mRNA expression.

Conclusion

F. gummosa exhibited pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-metastatic effects on MCF-7 cells. It is therefore recommended that detailed future research be done on different parts of the plant or its secondary metabolites to find anti-cancer lead compounds.

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Data availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available on request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for help and support.

Funding

This study was supported by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) Research Council (grant no. 950478), Mashhad, Iran.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Roghayeh Rashidi, Leila Mobasheri & Ahmad Ghorbani

  2. Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Ali Roohbakhsh

  3. Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Leila Mohtashami

  4. Medical Toxicology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Hamidreza Kheradmand & Seyed Hadi Mousavi

  5. Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Sadegh Amiri & Seyed Hadi Mousavi

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  1. Roghayeh Rashidi
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Contributions

RR and AR contributed to the manuscripts design, conception, acquisition, and drafting. LM and LM contributed to the HPLC and q-RT-PCR assays. HK and MA contributed to the plant collection and identification. SM contributed to the idea and drew on their respective expertise to contribute. All writers have read and given their consent to the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Seyed Hadi Mousavi.

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Rashidi, R., Roohbakhsh, A., Mohtashami, L. et al. Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ferula gummosa Boiss: extract on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line. Mol Biol Rep 51, 592 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-024-09364-1

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