Effect of aquatic garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on the survival of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and non-cancerous cells of mouse fibroblasts (L929)

Garlic has been known worldwide as a dietary constituent with many pharmacological effects in humans for centuries. The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity effect of the aqueous extract of garlic on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and non-cancerous normal cells (L929). After culture and treatment of cells with different concentrations of extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours, the cell morphology was investigated by invert microscopy and the toxic effect of the extract was determined by MTT (3- 4, 5 dimethylthiazole 2-yl 5,2-diphenyl tetrazolium). Microscopic observations showed no change in both cell lines within 24 hours. These changes appeared after 48 and 72 hours in cancerous cells and increased after 72 hours, but no significant changes were observed in healthy cells. At the same time, the results of MTT showed that the mortality rate was significant at high doses at 24 and 48 hours (P <0.001), and in 72 hours it was very intense and survival rate reached 48% at the highest dose. However, at 24 and 48 hours, we did not see significant death in non-cancerous cells, but at higher doses of 4000 μg/ml in 72 hours, death increased significantly (P <0.001) but did not exceed 19%. Therefore, aqueous extract of garlic has a greater effect on breast cancer cells than normal cells, and can be used to prevent cancer or as a supplement to chemotherapy in the future.