Combined dandelion extract and all-trans retinoic acid induces cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers among women worldwide. Recently, natural compounds have been widely used for the treatment of breast cancer. Present study evaluated antiproliferative and anti-metastasis activities of two natural compounds of dandelion and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in human MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells. We also evaluated the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, IL-1β, p53, NM23 and KAI1 genes. Data showed a clear additive cytotoxic effect in concentrations of 40 μM ATRA with 1.5 and 4 mg/ml of dandelion extract in MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells, respectively. In both cell lines, compared with the untreated cells, the expression levels of MMP-9 and IL-1β were significantly decreased while p53 and KAI1 expression levels were increased. Besides, MMP-2 and NM23 had different expressions in the two studied cell lines. In conclusion, dandelion/ATRA co-treatment, in addition to having strong cytotoxic effects, has putative effects on the expression of anti-metastatic genes in both breast cancer cells.

In vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Dandelion Root Ethanol Extract on PANC-1 Cell Line

“…At the end of this period, the old medium was removed, and the cells in the wells were treated with DRE (10-2.5 mg/mL) at concentrations determined by taking into account previously performed studies. 13,17 Each dose was administered in triplicate. During dosing, care was taken to keep the solvent DMSO ratio constant at 0.1% for each dose application.…”