Evaluation of the effect of amygdalin on survivin gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

Abstract

The effects of amygdalin as an herbal substance on prevention of cancer cells proliferation it has been shown. Also, survivin gene is one of the important genes on inhibition of apoptosis and controlling of the cell cycle in cancer cell lines. For this purpose, the present study was undertaken for the first time to evaluate the effects of amygdalin on survivin gene expression in MCF-7 and HDF. The MCF-7 (Breast cancer cells) and normal HDF were treated by different doses of amygdalin (0.5 to 10 mg/ml). Then, the MTT assay was done on each cell groups on 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. In each period time the cells were detached and used for RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. Finally, the survivin gene expression in each cell groups was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (q-RT-PCR) analysis. The MTT assay was showed that 5 mg/ml of amygdalin concentration at 48 hours after treatment it was suitable for evaluation of this compound on MCF-7 and HDF cell lines. The survey results of q-RT-PCR were showed in both amygdalin-treated MCF-7 (MCF-7+AMG) compare to the treated HDF (HDF-AMG as an control group) the expression level of survivin gene were decreased but this reduction only in MCF-7+AMG group was statistically significant (p <0.05). Our findings indicated that amygdalin in particular; decrease the survivin mRNA in MCF-7 breast cancer cells compare to normal healthy cells and leads to apoptosis and the death of cancer cells. It is suggested that in future study it must be better the effects of amygdalin supplemented with surfactant investigate against other cancer cells and evaluate the more molecular markers to specify the anti-cancer activity potential of this herbal compound.