Hala S. Sonbol
Department of Biochemistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaPublications
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Research Article
The cytotoxic effect of dwarf stinging nettle (Urtica urens) water extract on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7)
Author(s): Sawsan A. Rahimuddin* and Hala S. Sonbol
Urtica urens or dwarf stinging nettle, is an anticancer herb in many countries. The herb's effect on cell viability, the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels and its effect on the cell cycle in human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) were investigated. The malignant cells were incubated with 2 mg/ml extracts of both freeze- dried and freshly dried leaves. After treatment, the antiproliferation changes of cells were measured using Trypan blue and MTT assays. The cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ROS were determined using flow cytometry. Finally, the type of cell death and cell cycle changes were determined using Annexin V and Propidium Iodide (PI). Results showed that both extracts reduced cell viability with reduced cytoplasmic ROS. In addition, an increase in mitochondrial ROS was observed with the freeze-dried extract. Cell cycle analysis rev.. Read More»