African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12495

Full Length Research Paper

Induction of apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells by tannic acid and resveratrol

Ahu Soyocak1, Didem Turgut Cosan1*, Ayse Basaran1, Hasan Veysi Gunes1, Irfan Degirmenci1 and Fezan Sahin Mutlu2
  1Department of Medical Biology, Medical Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 26480 Eskisehir, Turkey. 2Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Medical Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 26480 Eskisehir, Turkey.
Email: [email protected].

  •  Accepted: 29 November 2012
  •  Published: 31 March 2013

Abstract

 

Tannic acid (TA), a plant polyphenol, has been described as having anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiallergic, antiinflammatory and astringent properties. Resveratrol (RES), a phytoalexin phenolic compound, has been known as an antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, antimutagenic, antiproliferative, antiviral, antibacterial, estrogenic and vasodilator agent. Although molecular mechanisms of TA and RES responsible for anticancer activity are yet to be known, there are in vitro studies indicating that these substances contribute to anticancer activity by inducing apoptosis. In this study, the effects of TA and RES in MCF-7 breast cancer cells on apoptotic index, FAS-associated death domain (FADD) and Bak proteins were investigated. Terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method was applied for apoptosis and immunohistochemical staining for FADD and Bak proteins. Our study results show that TA and RES increased apoptotic index, percentage ratios of apoptotic proteins Bak and FADD in MCF-7 cell line.

 

Key words: Bak, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), MCF-7, resveratrol, tannic acid.