Study of the cytotoxic effects of Iraqi Ocimum Basilicum L. extracts on breast cancer cell line

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 National University of Science and Technology, Collage of Pharmacy, Dhi Qar, Iraq

2 University of Baghdad, Collage of Science, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Ocimum Basilcum L. (Basil) is a popular herb used in many countries of the world, including Iraq, where it is grown with high quality and used as a popular diet. Because of it is health benefits, anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative contents, it was important to study the basil contents and shed light on its.

Extract effects on the most common types of cancer (breast cancer) using two cell lines (MCF7 and MDA). Before applying this effect, Basil (leaves and waste of the fresh and dry plant) was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with Ethanol as a solvent (two different percentage: absolute ethanol 99% and ethanol 70%), then Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to identify the chemical composition. Depending on dry basil leaves extract (DGL) composition using absolute ethanol as a solvent; it was selected for study of basil effect on the two used cell lines.

To reach the best effect, three different concentrations (5, 10 and 20 µg) of (DGL) were used for the three different period times (24, 48 and 72 hours).

Comparing the results for MCF7 and MDA, it was observed that 20 µg decreased the growth inhibition percentage at (24 and 48, 24hr and 72hr) for MCF7 and MDA, respectively and 5 µg at 72hr for MCF7 and 10 µg at 48hr for MDA.

The overall conclusion of the current study was that the antioxidant and proliferative contents of (DGL) had significant effects on the two breast cancer cell lines by decreasing the rate of growth inhibition, meanwhile the results added more healthy benefit of this important plant.

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