Apoptotic Effects of Steviol Glycoside on MCF-7 and A2780 Cell Lines in Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Background: Breast and ovarian cancers are prevalent among women, prompting researchers to focus on developing new pharmaceutical agents and innovative drug delivery systems aimed at enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. Steviol glycosides offer a promising approach to cancer treatment due to their broad anticancer activity, low toxicity, selective targeting of cancer cells, and potential to enhance chemotherapy efficacy. Objectives: This study explores the potential of steviol glycoside, a natural compound derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, as an anticancer agent targeting breast (MCF-7) and ovarian (A2780) cancer cell lines. Methods: MCF-7 and A2780 cells were cultured under standard conditions and treated with varying concentrations of steviol glycoside (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 µM) over different time points (24, 48, and 72 hours). Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes was evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using a t-test, with P-values calculated based on a significance threshold of 0.05. Graphs were generated using GraphPad Prism software. Results: The inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) values for MCF-7 cells were 30 μM, 24 μM, and 22 μM at 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. For A2780 cells, the corresponding IC50 values were 24 μM, 20 μM, and 19 μM at the same time points. The fold change in Bax and Bad gene expression increased with rising concentrations of steviol glycoside. At concentrations above 20 μM, this increase became statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conversely, Bcl-2 gene expression exhibited a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.001) at these concentrations. Conclusions: The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of steviol glycoside in treating breast and ovarian cancers, emphasizing the need for deeper investigation into its molecular pathways to fully understand its mechanisms. Despite its promise, significant challenges exist in translating laboratory results into clinical applications. Key obstacles include establishing appropriate dosing, assessing interactions with other medications, and conducting comprehensive trials to ensure safety and efficacy. Acknowledging these limitations enhances transparency and underscores the necessity for additional research to progress toward human trials.