title: Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Chrysin on Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells by Induction of Apoptosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chrysin, an active natural bioflavonoid found in honey and many plant extracts, was first known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The fact that antioxidants have several inhibitory effects against different diseases, such as cancer, led to search for food rich in antioxidants. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chrysin on the cultured human breast cancer cells (MCF-7).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cells were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium and treated with different chrysin concentrations for three consecutive days. Cell viability was quantitated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MTT assay showed that chrysin had an antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 50% cell growth inhibition values for chrysin against MCF-7 cells were 19.5 and 9.2 μM after 48 and 72 h, respectively. Chrysin induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as determined by flow cytometry. Chrysin inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis which may, in part, explain its anticancer activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that chrysin could also be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent and anticancer activity in treatment of the breast cancer cells in future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chrysin had an antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) cells in a dose- and time-dependent mannerChrysin induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, as determined by flow cytometryChrysin inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosisChrysin may have anticancer activity.Abbreviations used:Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), normal fibroblast mouse (L929).
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samarghandian
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azimi-Nezhad
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
authors.forename: Abasalt
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borji
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology Oncology, Woman Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Malihe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasanzadeh
authors.affiliation: Allergy Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Farahzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jabbari
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunogenetic and Cell Culture, Immunology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Farkhondeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology Oncology, Woman Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samini
keywords: Apoptosis; chrysin; honey; human breast cancer cells; lung cancer; viability