Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot Fruit Extracts on Breast Cancer (MCF-7) and Cervical Cancer (HeLa) Cell Lines

Aronia (chokeberry) fruits are consumed as fresh fruit due to their high antioxidant activity, and are also preferred among the public in the production of natural medicines. Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot, a species of the Rosaceae family, contains many phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, lignans, terpenes, tocopherols, phospholipids, organic acids and high amounts of anthocyanins. In this study, it was aimed to determine the in vitro anticarcinogenic activities of A. melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot fruit extracts prepared with 6 different solvents. In the study, the cytotoxic effects of the fruits were investigated using breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), and their effects on healthy cells were investigated using human endothelial cells (HUVEC) and mouse fibroblast cells (L929) by the MTT method. As a result of the study; It was determined that the highest cytotoxicity on the breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line was observed in the ethanol extract (IC50=111.44 µg/mL) and the lowest cytotoxicity was observed in the hexane extract (IC50=661.80 µg/mL). It was determined that the highest cytotoxicity on the cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line was observed in the ethanol extract (IC50=95.14 µg/mL) and the lowest cytotoxicity was observed in the ethyl acetate extract (IC50=319.51 µg/mL). According to these values; It was determined that all extracts of Aronia fruit had cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines, selectivity index values were higher in HeLa cells, and they did not have cytotoxic effects on HUVEC and L929 healthy cell lines (IC50=411.25-663.27 µg/mL). Thus, it has been determined that the fruits of the Aronia melanocarpa species are promising in the development of new natural resources, new drugs and therapeutic agents in cancer treatment, thanks to their anticancer activities and low cytotoxicity. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the mechanisms of anticancer activity in the future