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The antioxidant and chemical properties of Berberis vulgaris and its cytotoxic effect on human breast carcinoma cells

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Abstract

In this study we evaluated the biological activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts from the fruit of Berberis vulgaris. The total antioxidant capacity of Berberis was characterized by FRAP, DPPH, Folin–Ciocalteu while the anthocyanins content was measured by pH differential method. Cell viability and apoptotic property were determined by MTT and DNA fragmentation assays, respectively. Alcoholic extract of Berberis was richer in antioxidants and anthocyanins compared to aqueous extract. Although both extracts significantly inhibited proliferation of breast cancer cells (MCF-7); these changes were not observed in normal human breast epithelial cells (MCF10-A). The alcoholic extract was more effective in inducing apoptosis as detected by DNA fragmentation in treated cancer cells. Our results suggest that Berberis has potent antioxidant properties and cytotoxic effects that can induce apoptosis. Therefore, Berberis can potentially be exploited for the development of therapeutics to fight against human breast cancer.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank personnel of research laboratory in Birjand University of Medical Sciences. This study was made possible by a grant from the Research Vice Presidency of Birjand University of Medical Sciences. We also thank Mozhde Partovifar (Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran) for performing the antioxidant assays.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 9717853577, Birjand, Iran

      Reyhane Hoshyar, Zahra Mahboob & Asghar Zarban

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    1. Reyhane Hoshyar
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    2. Zahra Mahboob
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    3. Asghar Zarban
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    Correspondence to Reyhane Hoshyar.

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    Reyhane Hoshyar and Zahra Mahboob contributed equally to this study.

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    Hoshyar, R., Mahboob, Z. & Zarban, A. The antioxidant and chemical properties of Berberis vulgaris and its cytotoxic effect on human breast carcinoma cells. Cytotechnology 68, 1207–1213 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-015-9880-y

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-015-9880-y

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