Mahdi Abastabar - Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Abolfazl Akbari - Colorectal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Javad Akhtari - Immunogenetics Research Center, Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Mohammad Taghi Hedayati - Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Tahereh Shokohi - Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
hasan Mehrad-Majd - Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Hosseein Ghalehnoei - Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Sahar Ghasemi - Students Research Committee, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

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.

cancer, HeLa cells, Mycotoxin, Patulin