Investigation of the effect of broccoli (brassica oleracea var Italica) extract on apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cell line

Today, cell cultures have gained great importance in the acceleration of cancer research and the development of cancer drugs. Cancer is a dynamic and multifaceted disease that affects morbidity and mortality all over the world. The protective effects of bioactive components in foods from cancer and chronic diseases have been supported by epidemiological data. Consumption of cruciferous vegetables, also known as Brassicaceae, such as broccoli, cauliflower, white and black cabbage, Brussels sprouts, provides a much stronger protection against cancer when compared to general vegetable consumption. One of the most studied bioactive compounds regarding cancer chemoprevention in the cruciferous group is glucosinolates. The most widely studied isocyanate is sulforaphane (SFN), which has demonstrated its potential to inhibit and reverse the process of carcinogenesis and destroy cancer cells via apoptosis. Studies have shown that SFN inhibits cell cycle or induces apoptosis against tumor growth. Glucofarin (GRA), which is the most abundant glucosinolate (GLS) in the structure of broccoli, is broken down into SFN by myrosinase enzyme activity. GRA constitutes approximately 50% of the total GLS, especially in the structure of broccoli sprouts. In this study, the apoptotic effect of broccoli extract on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line at two different doses (125 µL/ml and 250 µL/ml) in two different time periods (24 and 48 h) was investigated. Cells were cultured at 370C in 5% CO2. Annexin V and cell cycle analyzes were performed with the Muse Cell Analyzer device. In the groups containing broccoli extract, a decrease in the percentage of viable cells and a significant increase in the percentage of early and total apoptosis were observed for both doses compared to the control (p<0.05). No significant results were found for the percentage of late apoptosis. In the S stage, the number of cells increased in all groups (p<0.05). It was observed that the groups containing broccoli extract slowed down the cell cycle in the transition to the S checkpoint (p<0.05). These results were found to be similar to the results of studies on apoptosis. It is thought that the widespread use of broccoli regularly and correctly in this thesis study will be effective in slowing down the formation of cancer and this study will contribute to cancer research.