In vitro antitumor activity of patulin on cervical and colorectal cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by some molds, especially Aspergillus and Penicilium, and is responsible for mycotoxicosis in animals and humans. There is still not very detailed data about the anti-cancer potency of patulin, but some reports demonstrated that it induces cellular apoptosis and toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine the efficacy of patulin as a therapeutic strategy for cervical and colorectal cancers, we investigated its effects on HeLa,SW-48, and MRC-5 cell lines. Cell lines were exposed to various concentrations of patulin (i.e., 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 µM), then using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays, the rates of apoptosis and cell viability were determined. RESULTS: The obtained results showed a significant reduction in cell viability and apoptosis induction in a dose-dependent manner. Among all the cell lines, the highest growth inhibition rate was obtained at the 4 μM concentration of patulin. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that patulin could significantly decrease tumor growth in human cervical and colorectal cancer models.