Ajwa Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Extract Inhibits Human Breast Adenocarcinoma (MCF7) Cells In Vitro by Inducing Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158963
• Publication Date: 2016-07-21T17:38:18Z
• Authors: Fazal Khan; Farid Ahmed; Peter Natesan Pus...; Adel Abuzenadah; Taha Kumosani; Elie Barbour; Mohammed AlQahtani; Kalamegam Gauthaman
• Keywords: Phoenix dactylifera; Fragmentation; MTT assay

Phoenix dactylifera L (Date palm) is a native plant of the Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA) and other Middle Eastern countries. Ajwa date has been described in traditional alternative medicine to provide several health benefits including anticholesteremic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective anticancer effects, but most remains be scientifically validated. Herein, we evaluated effects Methanolic Extract Date (MEAD) on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cells vitro.MCF7 were treated with various concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20 25 mg/ml) MEAD for 24, 48 72 h changes cell morphology, cycle, apoptosis related protein gene expression studied.Phase contrast microscopy showed morphological such as shrinkage, vacuolation, blebbing fragmentation. MTT (2-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay demonstrated statistically significant dose-dependent inhibitions MCF7 proliferation from 35% 95%. Annexin V-FITC TUNEL assays positive staining (15 mg h). Flow cytometric analyses mg/ml 24 cycle arrest at 'S' phase; increased p53, Bax expression; caspase 3activation decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis up-regulation Bax, Fas, FasL down-regulation Bcl-2.MEAD inhibited vitro by inducing apoptosis. Our results indicate dates, which therefore may used an adjunct therapy conventional chemotherapeutics achieve synergistic effect against cancer.