cytotoxicity of fractions of dracontium spruceanum chloroform extract in mda-mb-231 and mcf-7 breast cancer cell lines

Background: breast cancer is a major health issue responsible for numerous deaths worldwide. medicinal plants are rich in compounds with potential anticancer properties. objectives: this study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of fractions from the dracontium spruceanum chloroform extract on mda-mb-231 and mcf-7 breast cancer cell lines. methods: eleven fractions were screened for cytotoxic effects on cell viability using the mtt assay. subsequently, the two most cytotoxic fractions were selected, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (ic50) was calculated using two-fold dilution concentrations ranging from 100 to 1.56 µg/ml. results: fractions f43 and f50 showed the highest cytotoxicity at 100 µg/ml. the ic50 of f43 was 270.8 ± 18.07 µg/ml and 133.0 ± 17.99 µg/ml for mda-mb-231, and 252.2 ± 21.94 µg/ml and 144.3 ± 23.14 µg/ml for mcf-7 cells at 24 and 48 hours, respectively. for f50, ic50 values were 107.2 ± 2.97 µg/ml and 126.1 ± 14.77 µg/ml for mda-mb-231, and 236.4 ± 58.7 µg/ml and 104.5 ± 10.54 µg/ml for mcf-7 at corresponding times. conclusions: dracontium spruceanum fractions demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity on mda-mb-231 and mcf-7 breast cancer cell lines, indicating their anticancer potential. further research is required to identify the metabolites responsible for this activity and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved.