Avaliação do extrato aquoso de Morus nigra sobre a viabilidade de células de câncer de mama-MCF-7

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and arises from genetic mutations promoting the disordered growth of cells. Among the various existing types, it is worth mentioning breast cancer, due to its high incidence in women around the world, and for being the second type of cancer that kills the most. Currently, there are several treatments for breast cancer, but these have many side effects for the patient, alternatively medicinal plants have been used as adjuvants in the treatment of cancer. Among these, Morus nigra stands out, popularly known as (blackberry), a plant that has anticancer properties, due to the presence of phenolic compounds of anthocyanins and flavonoids in its composition. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the action of Morus nigra extract on MCF-7 mammary adenocarcinoma cells. For this, the extract was obtained through two stages, alcoholaturation and distillation. The blackberry fruits and leaves were macerated and added to a glass bottle that was kept in an environment without exposure to light and room temperature for 15 days, during which time the bottle was shaken once a day. After this time, the rotoevaporation process was carried out to remove the alcohol and total drying of the extract to be added in the oven at a temperature of 41°C. After drying the extract, it was diluted with distilled water and then stored in the refrigerator. MCF7 cells were derived from human mammary adenocarcinoma, and kept in bottles with supplemented RMPI 1640 medium, and in an oven at 37°C at 5% CO 2 . The experimental sequence consisted of incubating the tubes containing MCF-7 cells with the extract of Morus nigra at 2, 24 and 72 hours. After this period, the viability of the MCF-7 cells was read through a fluorescence microscope in a 40x objective, where the green cells were counted as alive, and the dead cells in the orange color. The data presented were analyzed by the ANOVA test. In the incubation times of 2, 24 and 72 hours the extract of Morus nigra reduced the viability of the cells, when compared to the control. In summary, the extract of Morus nigra had an effect on MCF-7 cells in the three incubation times, decreasing the viability of these cells, which suggests that the extract has an anticancer potential.