The Anti-Cancer Property of Mumie as Natural Product on Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line (HeLa)

Abstract

Mumie is a natural component found in some mountains, such as the Himalayas, as well as in some mountainous of Iran. It contains of humic and phenolic compounds that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Therefore, in this study, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties of mumie were examined on Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line (HeLa). HeLa cells and normal fibroblasts (NIH) were cultured in DMEM/F12 with mumie at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 1000 µg/ml for 24 and 48 h. The bioviability of these cells were evaluated using MTT assay. Chromatin condensation and apoptosis of these cells were examined using acridine orange and aniline blue staining respectively. Antioxidant property of mumie on NIH cells was evaluated by 10 mM H2O2 and neutral red test. MTT assay revealed bioviability of HeLa cells decreased but chromatin condensation increased in concentration of 100 μg/ml mumie treated culture. Apoptosis of the HeLa cells were observed in 100 μg/ml mumie treated culture. Mumie did not affect the bioviability, chromatin condensation and apoptosis of NIH cells but 500 and 1000 μg/ml concentrations were toxic and induced cell death. The cell cultures in different concentrations of mumie after 24and 48 h showed the similar results. NIH cells bioviability increased in 500 and 1000 μg/ml concentrations of co-culture of H2O2 and mumie that confirmed the antioxidant property. It concluded that even low concentrations of mumie could destroy HeLa cells without any side effect on normal cells. Therefore, it can be used for cervical cancer treatment but further research is needed.