EVALUATION OF ANTICANCER AND APOPTOTIC PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF TENEBRIO MOLITOR (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) LARVAE ON BREAST CANCER CELLS

The anti-cancer effects of insect larvae were demonstrated in cancer cells in traditional medicine. Identification and extraction of anticancer compounds from insects can reduce the problems of cancer patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic properties of different concentrations of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Tenebrio molitor larvae on breast cancer cells (Mcf-7).

The larvae used in this study were reared at the research insect farm of Razi University. Larvae were frozen and then dried before starting pupation. Their aqueous and ethanolic extracts were derived. Concentrations of 20, 40, 80, and 160 μg/ml of each extract were added to the cell culture. The group without extract was considered as control. Anti-proliferative activity was evaluated by MTT assay and apoptosis by acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining.

Application of ethanolic extract in low concentrations (20, 40 μg/ml) to the culture had the greatest cell cytotoxicity effect compared to aqueous extract with same concentration (p<0.05). In addition, the 40 μg/ml concentration of aqueous extract had a significant effect on cell cytotoxicity in comparison to the 20 μg/ml concentration (p<0.05). However, high concentrations, 120 μgr/ml of aqueous and ethanolic extracts, significantly increased the proliferation compared to the control (p>0.05). Similar results were observed in apoptosis assay.

In conclusion, larval ethanolic extract appeared to have a better effect on cytotoxicity and apoptosis of breast cancer cells in comparison to the aqueous extracts. Investigations for finding new and efficient natural anti-cancer extracts can improve our knowledge about natural-based medicines with fewer side effects.