The antioxidative and cytotoxic effects of hibiscus sabdariffa on mcf7 and mcf12a breast cell lines

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries. In particular, breast cancer is regarded as the most common neoplastic disease in females and accounts for the high mortality rates in women. Increased mortality rates could be attributed to ineffective current cancer treatment modalities that have been implicated to cause multidrug resistance, high toxicity and induction of several side effects. In addition, oxidative stress appears to play a role in the development of breast cancer. Therefore, current cancer research aims to search for plant based anticancer compounds with less side effects and toxicity towards the human body. An example of such a plant is Hibiscus sabdariffa also known as roselle and is reported to have bioactive compounds that exhibit anticancer and antioxidant effects. However, the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on breast cancer in relation to oxidative stress and apoptosis have not been investigated. In this research study, the aim was to evaluate the cytotoxic and antioxidant effects of water and methanolic extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) on cancerous MCF7 and non-cancerous MCF12A breast cell lines with special reference to oxidative stress and apoptosis. This was done based on the fact that HS has been documented for its traditional use against cancer and other ailments.