RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Anti-cancer effects of almond nuts or oil have been approved, but there are a few pieces of research that have evaluated, in detail, almond and other seeds' effects on cancer. Therefore, in the present project, the aim was to explore the regulatory effect of the bitter almond extract (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) on the apoptotic and anti-cancer potency of MCF-7 cells. OBJECTIVE: In the current experimental research, the almond effect on MCF7 cells was evaluated by investigating the expression and the balance between Bcl-2, Bax genes to unmark the potential molecular mechanism. METHODS: For 24 and 48h, the MCF7 cells were treated with the bitter almond extract (187.5-3000 µg/mL). MTT assay was used to assess the viability, and Real-time-PCR was applied to determine the expression of Bax and Bcl-2, facing ß-actin. RESULTS: Our results revealed a significant difference between different extract concentrations on the viability of MCF7 cell lines in 24 and 48 h; cell viability decreased time-dependently (P < 0.05). After 24 and 48h of extract facing MCF7 cells, the evaluated IC50 value was 3000 and 1500 µg/mL, respectively. Based on Real-Time-PCR analysis, after 24 and 48 h, the mRNA levels of BCL-2 decreased by the extract, whereas Bax was in the MCF-7 cell line. CONCLUSION: From the results, it can be concluded that bitter almond extract has anti-cancer properties that may influence the apoptotic pathways by regulating relative gene expression.
