Cytotoxic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Sweet Pomegranate Seed and Vitamin D on MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer and Human Fibroblast Cell Lines

Background: In recent years, scientists have focused on the use of natural ingredients, including herbal extracts, in the treatment of breast cancer. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of the aqueous extract of sweet pomegranate seed (AESPS) and vitamin D on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and human fibroblast cells for the first time. Methods: MCF-7 and fibroblast cells were cultured in 96-well plates at a density of 104 cells/well and treated with different concentrations of AESPS and vitamin D (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL). Cell viability was assessed using methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assays at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The data were analyzed using statistical tests with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results showed that AESPS inhibited the viability of MCF-7 cells, especially at a concentration of 200 mg/mL for 24 hours. In contrast, 200 mg/mL of vitamin D resulted in an increase in cell death of MCF-7 cells after 48 hours. Additionally, AESPS did not cause any significant toxicity to fibroblast cells, while vitamin D caused approximately 30% toxicity to fibroblast cells after 48 hours. Conclusions: Therefore, this herbal extract has a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cancer cells, even more so than vitamin D, and a non-cytotoxic effect on human fibroblast cells, significantly less than vitamin D. Aqueous extract of sweet pomegranate seed could be utilized in the treatment of breast cancer with further research in animal models and, eventually, clinical trials.