Cytotoxic and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Panax Ginseng on MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women globally and continues to be a primary contributor to cancer-associated mortality due to its high metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapies. In light of this clinical significance, the present study aimed to elucidate the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties of Panax ginseng extract on the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.
METHODS: Cells were exposed to a range of ginseng concentrations, and cytotoxic effects were quantified via the MTT assay. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ginseng was established at 226.50 μg/mL. Immunocytochemical evaluations at the IC50 concentration were conducted to assess apoptotic induction and DNA damage through detection of caspase-3 and PARP-1 (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1), expression.
RESULTS: Treatment with ginseng elicited a concentration-dependent reduction in cellular viability. At the IC50 dose, upregulation of caspase-3 and PARP-1 was noted, indicative of apoptotic pathway activation. Moreover, alterations in nuclear morphology and immunostaining patterns suggested the occurrence of DNA damage in ginseng-exposed cells.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Collectively, these data demonstrate that ginseng mediates cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells via apoptosis induction and DNA damage, underscoring its therapeutic potential against triple-negative breast cancer.

Keywords: Apoptosis, caspase-3, MDA-MB-231, Panax Ginseng, PARP-1.