Evaluation Effects of Caffeic Acid and Methylseleninic Acid on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women; whose mortality rate has remained high despite medical advances. The present study is aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity of caffeic acid (CA) and methylseleninic acid (MSA), separately and in combination, on the triple-negative human Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MB -231). To evaluate the cytotoxicity of CA and MSA on the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells, and the rate of cell survival, the MTT test was carried out. DAPI staining was used to determine the type of death induced in the MDA-MB-231 cells. The effect of caffeic acid and methyl seleninic acid on apoptosis was investigated in triple-negative Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB- 231) by flow cytometry. Based on the results of the MTT assay, IC50 values of 40 and 30 µg/ml were calculated for both CA and MSA on MDA-MB -231 cell line after 24 and 48 h, respectively. Based on the results of this study, caffeic acid and methylseleninic acid inhibited MDA-MB-231cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in these cells in a dose-dependent manner by increased Bax/Bcl2 level. Morphological studies also showed apoptosis characteristic features in MDA-MB -231cell after treatment with CA and MSA. Our findings indicated that CA and MSA had significant anti-tumor activity separately and in lower dose in combination . CA is effective in treating breast cancer at lower concentrations if used in combination with MSA.