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Abstract

Background and Objective Morus alba leaves is a natural source of many compounds with different biological effects. It has been described to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of total flavonoid extract from Morus alba MTF leaves and to determine its effect on viability of Hela cells. Materials and Methods The MTT assay was used for quantitative and rapid measurement of Hela cancer cells viability. Apoptotic effect of MTF on Hela cells was also determined via DNA fragmentation analysis by diphenylamine assay and agarose gel electrophoresis. Also in order to determine if cytochrome c involves in apoptosis induced by flavonoid extract of Morus alba leaves, quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting were done. All statistical tests were performed using the SPSS statistical software and significant differences p0.05 were determined by one way ANOVA. Results A strong and dose-dependent inhibition of cancer cell viability after treatment with MTF extract was achieved. DNA fragmentation was significantly observed at a concentration of 1.5 mg mL1501 of MTF when compared with controls. Cytochrome C release from mitochondria into cytosol was observed after treatment of Hela cells with MTF indicating apoptosis. Conclusion These results demonstrated that MTF extract has cytotoxic and apoptotic activities on Hela cells and it can be used as an anticancer drug.