Inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cancer cell proliferation by Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus corm methanol extract

Breast cancer is a life-threatening illness that resulting in women deaths worldwide. Despite significant advances in cancer treatment, mortality from breast cancer still exist. Current chemotherapy drugs have different side effects such as drug resistance and apoptosis induction in healthy cells. Hence, effective and better tolerated drugs are needed. For the past 30 years, natural compounds have been great attention due to value biological properties. In this study, the anticancer properties of Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus against MDA-MB-231 human cancer cell line was investigated. The methanol extract of Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus corm was prepared, dissolved in DMSO, and diluted. The cytotoxicity of the diluted extracts was evaluated by MTT assay. Data analysis showed a significant decrease in the number of viable cells with increasing concentration of the extract and incubation time. The extract also suppressed the viability of MDA-MB-231 multicellular spheroids (3D). In conclusion, the methanol extract of Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus corm contains anti-proliferative agent(s).