Induction of apoptosis by Ruta chalepensis L. essential oil in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7)

Abstract

Context: Recent scientific studies have reported that essential oils induce apoptosis in various cancer cell types by interfering with intracellular signaling pathways. Aims: To evaluate the cytotoxicity, the apoptotic activity of essential oil (EO) of Ruta chalepensis L. against MCF-7 cell line. Methods: Cytotoxicity was determined using methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay. The apoptotic activity of EO was analyzed using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide binding flow cytometry. The cell morphology was inspected under an inverted microscope. DAPI staining assay was used for the morphological observation. Activation of caspases-3/7, -8, and-9 was assessed using a caspase assay kit. Results: Ruta chalepensis essential oil significantly inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells at 72 h. Moreover, the results showed that cell death is associated with the apoptotic process, and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased in the groups treated with EO than in control cells. The main morphological hallmarks of apoptosis in the nucleus were membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation. Also, R. chalepensis EO-induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line was via the extrinsic caspase-8 dependent pathway in a dose and time-dependent manner. Conclusions: Ruta chalepensis essential oil demonstrated significant apoptotic activity against experimental breast carcinoma. Therefore, it could be introduced as a suitable candidate for breast cancer therapy after further investigation.