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Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and one of the major causes of cancer deaths in women. Considering the increasing prevalence of this cancer and the ineffectiveness of common treatments, finding new treatment strategies seems necessary. In this study, the anti-proliferative properties of aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts of Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) were evaluated. Then, the pro-apoptotic, and chemosensitizing effects of the most cytotoxic extract were tested. Materials and Methods: The aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts of the plant were prepared and their effects on the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells were investigated after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr treatment by MTT assay. The extract with the most effect was selected. The effect of the extract on apoptosis was estimated using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Real-time PCR. Then, the effect of co-treatment with the extract and tamoxifen was investigated using compusyn software. Results: Among aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts, ethanolic extract had the greatest effect in reducing the viability of cancer cells. This extract significantly increased apoptosis and Bax/Bcl-2 expression (p |
