Evaluation of cytotoxicity of rubiadine on MCf7 and AGO cell lines

Background:Rubiadineis a bioactive substance with anthraquinone structure and rubiadine family that is isolated from Nonior Morinda citrifolia(Indian berry).The root of this plant can be used to treat inflammation and congestion of the kidneys and various cancers.Due to the fact that studies on the anti-cancer effects of rubiadine on breast cancer cells are very limited,this study aimed to investigate the effects of rubiadine-induced cytotoxicity on breast cancer and normal cells.Methods:In this experimental-laboratory study,breast cancer cell line(MCf7)and normal human fibroblast cell line(AGO)were purchased from Pasteur Institute,Iran,and given to the control groups(no exposure to rubiadine)and the groups exposed to rubiadine with concentrations of 12.5,6.25,12.5,3.5,1.56,0.78,and 0.39μg/mL.Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay.The expression of BCL2 associated X(BAX)andB-cell lymphoma 2(BCL2)genes was also evaluated using real-time Polymerase chain reaction.Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance.Results:The results of this study showed that concentrations of 12.5,6.25,1.56 and 0.39μg/mL reduced breast cancer viability(P<0.001).The concentration of inhibitory concentration(IC50)μg/mL was reported to be 1.89.Gene expression BAX and BAX/BCL2 was significantly increased in breast cancer cells with IC501.89μg/mL rubiadine compared to the control group(P<0.01 and P<0.05).Also,Gene expression BCL2 did not decrease significantly.A significant increase in BAX/BCL2 expression was observed compared to the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Changes in gene expression did not affect normal cells.Different concentrations of rubiadine cause cytotoxic effects by increasing BAX/BCL2 expression on breast cancer cells and did not affect normal cells.