Effect of Beta Vulgaris Extract on the Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) and Rat Embryo Fibroblast (REF)

The study aimed to study the cytotoxic effect of the aqueous extract of Beta vulgaris on the breast carcinoma cell MCF-7 and the normal cell REF. Six diluted concentrations of the aqueous extract of the plant roots including (7.8, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500) µg/ml, with three exposure periods of 24, 48, and 72 hrs. The quantitative estimation of the active compounds of the aqueous extract was calculated. It was found that the aqueous extract of plant contains many active compounds such as (tannins, phenols, flavonoids and glycosides). The effect of the extract on normal REF cells after an exposure period of 72 hrs, which is represented by the concentration that causes inhibition of the proliferation of normal REF cells by 50%, is (IC50) with the aqueous extract of B. vulgaris was (6.35) mg/ml. The aqueous extract of plant was tested to detect the cytotoxic effect of the aqueous extract and all concentrations used on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell. The results showed that increase in the percentage rate of inhibition of cancer cell growth was observed during the three exposure periods of 24, 48, and 72 hrs. There is significant differences at (p≤0.05) and compared with the control. The rate of inhibition ranges at the lowest concentration 500 µg/ml were (92.204±1.455) (93.616 ±1.376) and (95.325±1.407) respectively.