flaxseed extract can modulates apoptotic genes to promote cell death in breast cancer cells

Background: breast cancer is a multifactorial malignancy with uncertain treatment outcomes, making its treatment challenging. balanced level of genes expression, including bax, bcl2l1 (bcl-xl) and bcl-2 are needed to regulate apoptosis pathway in cancers. the aim of this study was to examine the impact of flaxseed extract on the expression of bax, bcl-2, and bcl2l1 (bcl-xl) gens in bt-474 and mcf-7 breast cancer cells.method: this in vitro experimental study investigated the impact of flaxseed extract on apoptosis and the proliferation of bt-474 and mcf-7 breast cancer cells. mtt assay was conducted on flaxseed extract treated bt-474 and mcf-7 cells at concentrations 3.90628, 7.8125, 156.125, 312.5, 125, 2, 1000, and 2000 µg/ml for 24, 48 and 72h. ic50 (μg/ml) was calculated for flaxseed extract in both cells. the expression of bcl2l1 (bcl-xl), bcl-2 and bax genes were evaluated at these concentrations using real time polymerase chain reaction (pcr). the data from different groups were analyzed using the student’s t-test.results: flaxseed extract reduced the multiplication and growth of bt-474 and mcf-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner over 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation. in both flaxseed-extract exposed bt-474 and mcf-7 cell lines, the bax gene expression increased (p < 0.05); however, the gene expression of bcl2l1 (bcl-xl) and bcl-2 genes decreased (p < 0.05).conclusion: incubating bt-474 and mcf-7 with flaxseed extract repressed their growth and induced apoptosis. these results may provide precious information for developing a plant-based agent to prevent or treat breast cancer.