Growth Inhibitory Impact of Peganum harmala L. on Two Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Background: ß-carbolines, harmaline and harmine, are major alkaloids present in the seeds of Peganum harmala L. These alkaloids are known as herbal active principals with potential use in pharmaceutical and medicine. Objectives: To assess the growth inhibitory effect of phyto-alkaloids, harmaline and harmine, on cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: P. harmala L.'s alkaloids were extracted by acidic/basic extraction method and identified by two methods, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and Mcf-7, were subjected to different concentrations (1-100 μg.mL -1 ) of the P. harmala extract at different time courses (24, 48, and 72 hours). Methylthiazol Tetrazolium (MTT) test, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) and morphological changes through optical microscopy were evaluated. Results: In both studied cell lines, the P. harmala extract decreased cell viability in longer time exposure in a dose dependent manner. The more concentrated extract led to higher motility of MDA-MB-231 at 24 hours. Although, Mcf-7 cell line required longer exposure time to reach the same motility. It was observed that 30 μg.mL -1 is the minimum lethal dose that kills approximately 50% of cells at 24 hours for MDA-MB-231 cell line (IC 50 ). IC 50 for Mcf-7 was calculated 40 μg.mL -1 and 25 μg.mL -1 48 and 72 hours after being exposed against harmala's extract, respectively. The morphological observation confirmed the apoptosis nature of P. harmala on cells as their membrane kept intact and no membrane permeabilization was observed. Conclusions:The results revealed that the P. harmala extracts significantly decreased the growth rate and cell survival of cancer cell lines. The extract induced cell death regarding natural cell growth rate. MDA-MB-231 cell line naturally has a higher growth rate than Mcf-7 cell line, thus higher growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cell line by the P. harmala extract was confirmed.

Antimicrobial Activity of Peganum harmala Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains and Assessment of Its Cytotoxicity Effect on HEK-293 Cells

“…Several studies confirmed antimicrobial properties of P. harmala against different microorganisms (7,15,16). The present study showed a good antibacterial activity for P. harmala seeds extract in different concentrations against MRSA clinical strains, which is in agreement with the results of other studies from Iran by Mazandarani et al (17) and Mohsenipour et al (18).…”

Peganum harmala L.’s anti-growth effect on a breast cancer cell line

“…In the previous study, the anti-cancer impact of P. harmala on cancer cell lines was confirmed by MTT test [18] . In the present study, the apoptosis assay was used to elucidate the anticancer effect of P. harmala ’s seed extract.…”

“…P. harmala seeds were collected from the mountains of Shahrekord, Chaharmahalo Bakhtiari province, Iran. The P. harmala ’s alkaloid extract has been prepared according to Seyed Hasan Tehrani et al [18] .…”

Peganum harmala Extract Has Antiamoebic Activity to Acanthamoeba triangularis Trophozoites and Changes Expression of Autophagy-Related Genes

“…Peganum harmala has been widely used in diverse therapeutic purposes [ 42 ] as it contains several pharmacological activities, for example, anti-cancer [ 43 ], anti-oxidant [ 44 ], anti-inflammation [ 45 ], and anti-microbial activities, which included anti-viral [ 46 ], anti-bacterial [ 45 ], anti-fungal [ 47 ], and anti-parasitic [ 48 , 49 ] effects. Our study discovered the anti- Acanthamoeba activity of the P. harmala seed extract against A. triangularis .…”