Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Effect of Black Cumin Seed Extract on Expression of Some Genes in MCF-7 Cancer Cells

Black cumin is one of the most important native medicinal plants of Iran, which the seeds of this plant are used in the diet and have no side effects for human. Previous studies have shown the medicinal effect of this plant in various fields, but so far, no study has been done on the anti-cancer effect of the seeds of this plant. In this study, the anti-cancer effect of cumin seed extract on MCF-7 breast cancer cells was investigated. Firstly, the analysis of important pathways and genes affected by phytochemical inhibitors in the treatment of cancer was identified by text-mining. After extracting cumin seeds, the viability of MCF-7 cells treated with different concentrations of the extract were investigated using the Neutral Red method. Then flowcytometry technique was used to evaluate the effect of the extract on the apoptotic process. Finally, the expression of several important genes obtained from text-mining analysis was evaluated using real-time PCR. The effect of the extract on cell viability was dependent on the concentration. Black cumin seed extract at a dose of 160 μg/ml reduced cell viability by 50% in MCF-7 cells. Treated with black cumin extract, the genes obtained from text-mining analysis showed a change that could have a positive effect on cancer treatment. The present study showed for the first time that black cumin seed extract can induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells.