Comparative Study of Anti-Cancer Properties of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Different Cultivars of Apricot Kernels on Breast Cancer Cells (MCF7) and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Breast cancer mortality is growing around the world due to chemotherapy resistance and chemo-related side effects. Many natural products from plants are recognized to exert anticancer activity. This study aimed at investigating anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of different varieties of apricot kernels (Jahangiri, Palmia, Jafari, and N585) at different concentrations on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (Huvec), as normal cells, at 24 and 72h after treatment.

In this experimental study, fruits of four different apricot cultivars were collected from the orchard of Kermanshah Agricultural Research Center, Iran. Hydro-ethanolic extract of apricot kernels were used at different concentrations (25, 100, 400, and 1200 μg/ml). The control group did not receive any supplement. The cytotoxicity of different concentrations was determined by MTT assay and acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining was performed to evaluate the extent of apoptosis. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in SPSS. Duncan’s test was used to test the differences between treatments.

After 24 and 72 hours, the highest reduction in proliferation of cancer and normal cells occurred at highest concentration of N585 cultivar (P<0.05).

It seems that different apricot kernel cultivars act differently in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer and normal cells.