Cytotoxic effects of grape (Vitis vinifera, Rishbaba) seed extract on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and its interaction with anticancer drug doxorobicin

Cancer, a fatal disease, is the second leading cause of death reason exceeded only by cardiovascular disease. Breast cancer is common well known cancers in woman and is the second leading cause of death after lung cancer. In recent years researchers have focused on diet based on herbal medicine for the prevention and treatment of certain types of cancer. In this study, the cytotoxic properties of grape (Rishbaba) seed extract on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were determined using MTT assay. Doxorubicin, an anti-cancer control drug, was used with the extract in combination therapy. The data showed that incubation of cells with grape extract significantly reduced cell viability. Furthermore, concomitant treatment of cells with extract and anti-cancer drug produced a significant cytotoxic effect as compared to extract or drugs alone. Seeded grapes (vs seedless forms) probably have beneficial effects on the prevention and treatments of human breast cancer. In addition, their combination with chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin may effectively induce cell death and could be be a potent modality to treat this type of cancer with reduced side effects.