Assessment of the Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Cold Aqueous Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra Roots on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells (MDA-MB-231) and Normal REF Cells In Vitro
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36320/ajb/v17.i3.20740Keywords:
Glycyrrhiza glabra; cytotoxicity; Comet assay; MDA-MB231 cells; REF cellsAbstract
Cancer is still a serious health problem around the world with some types including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) later research showed resistance to the traditional chemotherapies, which encourages researchers to try and find effective and safe alternative herbal treatments. Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) has recently surfaced in the literature as a bioactive plant compound that could display anticancer properties. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic impacts of a cold aqueous G. glabra root extract on TNBC cells (MDA-MB231) and normal rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) in vitro. Proliferation of MDA-MB231s treated with five extract concentrations (70–350 μg/ml) for 24, 48, and 72 hours was assessed, while REFs endured 72 hours' exposure. Proliferation inhibition intensified dose- and time-dependently, from 9.27% at 70 μg/ml (24 h) to 90.13% at 350 μg/ml (72 h). In REFs, the IC50 was 5.59 mg/ml; viability dropped from 92.12% (1 mg/ml) to 12.50% (12 mg/ml) by 72 hours, implying relatively lower toxicity. Comet assay findings revealed significant DNA damage in MDA-MB231s at 72 hours which amplified with concentration—minor dd = 40.69 at 70 μg/ml but moderate-to-severe dd = 15.81–17.73 at 350 μg/ml. All inhibitory effects proved statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the cold aqueous G. glabra root extract demonstrates noteworthy cytotoxic and genotoxic impacts on TNBC cells, with reduced toxicity to normal cells, supporting its potential as a natural anticancer agent
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