Effects of delphinidin in anthocyanin on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Abstract

This research showed that delphinidin, an anthocyanin present in blueberry, induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as well as mediated anti-cancer effects in vivo. As a result, growth of cancer cells as assessed by MTT assay decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Chromatin condensation by DAPI staining significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating apoptosis. The level of p53-protein increased while those of anti-apoptotic molecules (Bcl-2, p-GSK3β) decreased in the western blot. Tumor size decreased in cells treated with 10 mg/kg of delphinidin compared with the control group in vivo. Cell apoptosis assessed by TUNEL assay significantly increased, and tumor inhibitory effect was confirmed. Therefore, delphinidin can be developed for cancer preventive medicine due to its growth inhibitory effects and induction of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.