Investigation of cytotoxic effect of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) fruit

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the cytotoxic effect of black mulberry fruit extract (Morus nigra L.) on human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and prostate cancer (PC3) cell lines. The extract prepared from mulberry (M. nigra) fresh fruit was applied to cancer cell lines in 5 different v/v concentrations (10%, 4%, 2%, 1.33% and 1%) for 72 h. At the end of the incubation period, cell viability was determined by MTT [3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Results were compared with negative and positive control groups. The effect of mulberry (M. nigra) fruit extract on cell viability was determined depending on the concentration applied; extract showed a significant cytotoxic effect on PC3 cell line at the 10% concentration compared to the control group, but not detected any effect at 4%, 2%, 1.33% and 1% concentrations. In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, there was a high cytotoxic effect at a concentration of 10% compared to the control group, while a lower effect was observed at 4%, 2%, 1.33% and 1% concentrations. The data obtained from the study showed that extract prepared from black mulberry fruit has cytotoxic effect especially against breast cancer cells.