Anti-Cancer Activity of Methanol Extracts of Cichorium Intybus on Human Breast Cancer SKBR3 Cell Line

Abstract

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is themost prevalent cancer and the second cause of death among women around the world. Inmany cancers, including breast cancer, Fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene expression is increased significantly. In breast cancer cell lines, expression of FASN is higher in HER2 positive cell line like SKBR3 than the others. FASN is the key enzyme for fatty acid synthesis de novo pathway and it is producing palmitate which is necessary for cellmembrane formation. Cichoriumintybus is amedicinal plant that effectively leads to inhibition of fatty acid synthase and thus reduces the percentage of survival of cancer cell lines. Objectives: The aimof this studywas to evaluate the effect ofmethanol extract of Chicoriumintybus root on percentage of survival in SKBR3 cell line. Methods: Human breast cancer SKBR3 cell line was cultured in DMEM medium. Methanol extract of Cichorium intybus root was extracted and different dilutions (200, 300, 400, 500 and 600g/mL) were added to cell culture. Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results: Cichorium intybus could decrease cell viability. The effects of extract on cell viability were observed after 24, 48 and 72 hours on SKBR3 cell line and IC50 was 800, 400 and 300 after 24, 48 and 72 hours of treatment, respectively. Conclusions: Our study shows thatmethanol extract of Cichoriumintybus has cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. This is a pilotwork for further evaluation in the future.