Cytotoxic activity of Centaurea albonitens Turrill aerial parts in colon and breast cancer cell lines

MTT, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; MCF-7, Breast cancer cell line; HT-29, Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line Background: Cancer is the second cause of death in developed countries. Colon and breast cancers are among the most prevalent ones. Research focusing on finding new natural products with fewer side effects to fight cancer is increasing. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Centaurea albonitens Turrill methanol extract and its fractions against colon and breast cancer cell lines and a normal cell line of bovine kidney cells. Methods: The methanol extract and petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous fractions were provided from the aerial parts of C. albonitens by maceration method in three days. Each day the solvent was refreshed. Colon (HT-29) and breast (MCF-7) cell lines were treated with the extract/fractions for 48 h for evaluating the cytotoxic activity by MTT assay. The apoptotic induction potential was also evaluated with the Hoechst 33258 staining method. Results: The most considerable effect was reported from the chloroform fraction with IC 50 values of 25.6 and 25.1 μg/mL in MCF-7 and HT-29 cells, respectively. In Hoechst staining, condensed chromatin of the apoptotic cells was observed in both cell lines. Conclusion: Centaurea albonites can be suggested for further cancer research studies.