Anticancer effect of aflatoxin B۱ on melanoma cell line A۳۷۵

Background and Objective: Melanoma is a malignant tumor created by the origin of melanin-containingcells in the skin, which can spread rapidly in the body. Apoptosis mechanism is one of the main ways ofremoving unwanted cells, which is performed in multicellular and even unicellular organisms. In thismechanism, it is necessary that apoptotic genes, including CASP۸, CASP۹, P۵۳, and VEGF be activated.Each of the genes can play essential roles in destructing cancer cells. Some researchers believe thataflatoxin produced by Aspergillus species can have a significant effect on activating apoptotic genes.Considering the high prevalence of skin cancer in human societies, the aim of this study is investigate thecytotoxic effect of aflatoxin B۱ and induction of apoptosis on A۳۷۵ melanoma cancer cell line and toanalyze the expression of apoptotic genes.Methods: In an experimental study, the first step was to isolate and purify aflatoxin B۱ from Aspergillusflavus. Then the toxicity property of its different concentrations was evaluated on the A۳۷۵ melanomacell line treated in ۲۴ and ۴۸ hours using the MTT method. Also, the expression of P۵۳ and VEGFapoptotic genes in the cell line was investigated by Real-Time PCR method after RNA extraction andcDNA production.Findings: The results of the MTT assay test showed that the decrease in the proliferation and survival ofthe A۳۷۵ cancer cell line depends on the increase in the concentration and duration of treatment withaflatoxin B۱. In addition, the results of Real-Time PCR compared to the reference gene GAPDH alsoproved the induction of P۵۳ and VEGF apoptotic genes.Conclusion: According to the findings of apoptosis induction in the A۳۷۵ cell line, after further studieson the appropriate concentrations of aflatoxin and confirmation in the animal model, it can be used as anapoptotic and anti-cancer product in melanoma treatment

Keywords:

Aflatoxin , Apoptosis , A۳۷۵ Melanoma cell line , Real-Time PCR