By : Ahmed A.1, Ali M. 1, El-Kholie E. 1, El-Garawani I.2* and Sherif N. 1

Abstract

Black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) has a long history of medicinal use in folk medicine. In this study, in vitro anticancer properties of fresh and dry black mulberry (BM) ethanolic extracts on breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) were investigated. Cytotoxic effect of both extracts was investigated by neutral red uptake method and the IC50 was assessed. The morphological changes, apoptosis and/or necrosis, were detected by Giemsa staining and acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual fluorescent staining methods, in addition to DNA fragmentation assay by gel electrophoresis and comet assay. Mitotic index was evaluated in MCF-7 groups to investigate the antiproliferative potential of fresh and dry BM extracts. Furthermore, micronucleus and other nuclear abnormalities were also investigated. BM extracts administration gave significant (p < 0.05) morphological evidence of apoptosis and increased cell death after 48 hours more than that of 24 hours-treated MCF-7 cells among fresh and dry extract groups. DNA analysis after 24 h of BM extracts treated groups has no fragmentation while apoptosis is generated after 48h showing more fragmentation in fresh BM groups. The mitotic index records were significantly decreased in dose and time dependent manner showing the better antiproliferative effect with fresh extract treatments. DNA single strand breaks were also increased among the treatment groups at dose and time dependent manner with the best results with fresh extract. It can be concluded that black mulberry fruit is a considerable source of health dietary supplement and its integration for pharmaceutical industries has to be in concern.

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2. Anticancer activity of Morus nigra on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) the role of fresh and dry fruit extracts.

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