In vitro antitumor activity of patulin on cervical and colorectal cancer cell lines

Background and Purpose: Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by some molds,especially Aspergillus and Penicilium, and is responsible for mycotoxicosis in animals and humans.There is still not very detailed data about the anti-cancer potency of patulin, but some reports demonstrated that it induces cellular apoptosis and toxicity. Materials and Methods: To determine the efficacy of patulin as a therapeutic strategy for cervical and colorectal cancers, we investigated its effects on HeLa,SW-۴۸, and MRC-۵ cell lines. Cell lines were exposed to various concentrations of patulin (i.e., ۰.۵, ۱, ۲, and ۴ µM), then using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and bromo-۲′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays, the rates of apoptosis and cell viability were determined. Results: The obtained results showed a significant reduction in cell viability and apoptosis induction in a dose-dependent manner. Among all the cell lines, the highest growth inhibition rate was obtained at the ۴ μM concentration of patulin.Conclusion: Our results suggested that patulin could significantly decrease tumor growth in human cervical and colorectal cancer models.

Keywords:

cancer , HeLa cells , Mycotoxin , Patulin