The Hydroalcoholic Extract of Matricaria chamomilla Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Human Breast Cancer MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 Cell Lines

BACKGROUND: Matricaria chamomilla is an aromatic plant with antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the inhibitory role of M. chamomilla on migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the methods to evaluate these anticancer mechanisms of M. chamomilla on human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cells were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of M. chamomilla at different concentrations (50–1300 μg/mL) for 24, 48, and 72 h in a culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. This study quantified the 50% growth inhibition concentrations (IC(50)) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; apoptosis and necrosis through Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide staining; cell proliferation and clone formation by clonogenic assay as well as cellular migration, invasion, and attachment. After 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment, the IC(50)levels were 992 ± 2.3 μg/mL, 893 ± 5.4 μg/mL, and 785 ± 4.8 μg/mL against MDA-MB-468, respectively, and 1288 ± 5.6 μg/mL, 926 ± 2.5 μg/mL, and 921 ± 3.5 μg/mL, against MCF-7, respectively. Furthermore, increasing the extract concentrations induced cellular apoptosis and necrosis and decreased cellular invasion or migration through 8 μm pores, colonization and attachment in a dose-dependent manner. RESULTS: It indicated time- and dose-dependent anti-invasive and antimigrative or proliferative and antitoxic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of chamomile on breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an effective plant in preventing or treating breast cancer. SUMMARY: Antioxidant compounds in Matricaria chamomilla have anticancer effects. Hydroalcoholic extract of M. chamomilla controls cellular proliferation and apoptosis induction. Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide staining suggested that the extract induces apoptosis more than necrosis. Hydroalcoholic extract of M. chamomilla prevents colonization and cellular migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 cell lines in a time- and dose-dependent manner. M. chamomilla has low cytotoxic effects on natural cells. [Image: see text] Abbreviations Used: IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer; WHO: World Health Organization; FBS: Fetal bovine serum; MTT: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide; PI: Propidium iodide; LN: Live cells with normal nucleus; LA: Live cells with apoptized nucleus; DN: Dead cells with normal nucleus; DA: Dead cells with apoptized nucleus; BSA: Bovine serum albumin; ANOVA: Analysis of variance; IC(50): 50% growth inhibition concentration; GSE: Grape seed extract