Cytotoxicity of Simvastatin in Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cell Lines

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.

2 Undergraduate Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia.

3 Biomedical Sciences Master Program, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia.

4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University/Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia.

5 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran/Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia.

Abstract

Objective: Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, have been shown to be effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Recent reports demonstrate an anticancer effect induced by statins on lung and prostate cancer cells. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Simvastatin can serve as chemotherapeutic agent against human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Methods: The cytotoxic effect of simvastatin against breast cancer cells were evaluated using MTT assay. The related mechanism of cell death was further determined by trypan blue staining, morphological changes observation, and drug combination index. Results: The results showed that simvastatin treatment substantially induced cell death in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Simvastatin exhibited a highly cytotoxic effect on MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 with half-maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration (IC50) 8.9 μM and 4.5 μM respectively. Consistently, we observed antiproliferative effect of Simvastatin was associated with apoptosis on breast cancer cell lines by determination of morphological changes. Moreover, this drug demonstrated a synergistic activity with doxorubicin on triggering cell death in MCF7 cells, but not in MDA-MB-231. Conclusion: Simvastatin has a potent cytotoxic effect resulting in the death of human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, demonstrating its potential as a new candidate for cancer drug.
 

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 22, S1
February 2021
Pages 33-42

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 January 2020
  • Revise Date: 14 April 2020
  • Accept Date: 31 May 2020

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