Inhibitory effects of probiotic against MCF7 breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Secondary metabolites in the supernatants of probiotic microorganisms have shown anticancer effects. The present study was aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of supernatants and their role in apoptosis induction in MCF7 cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The inhibition of MCF7 cancer cells by 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 , , , and were examined by real-time PCR and compared with normal HFF cells.

RESULTS

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 , and genes and the decrease in the anti-apoptotic gene of , along with the flow cytometry results, confirmed the induction of apoptosis in the cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Regarding the cytotoxic influence of 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.