Anticancer Potential of Postbiotic Derived from Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus casei: In vitro Analysis of Breast Cancer Cell Line.

Abstract

Breast cancer has emerged as the most widespread and dangerous type of malignancy among women worldwide. Postbiotics have recently emerged as a promising novel adjunct in breast cancer therapy, due to their immunomodulatory effects and the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of conventional treatments. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus brevis (CSF2) and Lactobacillus casei (CFS5), specifically examining their ability to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In the current study, the anticancer activity of the cell-free supernatant of L. brevis and L. casei was investigated against MCF-7 cells using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR technique. Both bacteria showed a high potential for the induction of cell death in MCF-7 cells. However, CFS2 cytotoxicity was significantly higher than CFS5. Flow cytometry results showed significant induction of early apoptosis in cells treated with both CFS2 and CFS5 within 48h. The induction was notably higher in cells treated with CFS2 compared to CFS5. Overall, CFS2 therapy resulted in a greater increase in BAX and CASP9 gene expression, as well as an elevated BAX/BCL2 ratio within 48h. These findings indicate that the CFS2 treatment showed a higher level of apoptotic activity than the CFS5 treatment. High biocompatibility was demonstrated following treatment with CFS2 and CFS5. These CFSs may serve as adjunctive medications for suppressing the proliferation of cancer cells. The results of the current study highlight the potential of postbiotics in cancer treatment and suggest that supernatants may serve as effective agents for suppressing cancer cell growth and viability.