Anticancer Potential of Steviol in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and mechanism of action of steviol on human breast cancer cells (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 [MCF-7]). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sulforhodamine-B assay was performed to analyze cytotoxic potential of Steviol whereas flow cytometer was used to analyze cell cycle, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species generation. RESULTS: Studying the viability of cells confirms the IC(50) of Steviol in MCF-7 cells which was 185 μM. The data obtained from fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis reveal Steviol-mediated G2/M-phase arrest (P < 0.05) in addition to the presence of evident sub-G0/G1 peak (P < 0.05) in the MCF-7 cells, signifying the ongoing apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Thus, results suggest that induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was due to dose-dependent effect of Steviol. Our first in vitro findings indicate Steviol as a promising candidate for the treatment of breast cancer. SUMMARY: Steviol remarkably inhibited the growth MCF-7 HBCCs in a dose dependent manner. It abolishes cell cycle progression by arresting cells at G2/M phase. Steviol induces the cells to undergo apoptosis. Steviol induces the cells to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Abbreviations used: MCF-7: Michigan Cancer Foundation-7; SRB: Sulforhodamine-B assay; FACS: Fluorescence-activated cell sorter; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid.