Comparative Evaluation of the Anti-Proliferative, Apoptotic, and Migratory Effects of Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Extract on Breast Cancer Cells and Healthy Endothelial Cells

Sinem Gültekin Tosun; Ayla Solmaz Avcıkurt

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1806065

Comparative Evaluation of the Anti-Proliferative, Apoptotic, and Migratory Effects of Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Extract on Breast Cancer Cells and Healthy Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Purpose: Aronia melanocarpa fruit, known for its antioxidant and cytotoxic properties, is recognized as a potential natural agent in cancer research. This investigation evaluated the in vitro effects of aronia fruit extract on cytotoxicity, cell migration, and the expression of apoptotic genes in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and HUVEC healthy endothelial cells were examined. Methods: Cytotoxicity analyses were performed using the MTT assay, cell migration was assessed by scratch assay, and apoptotic gene expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR in MDA-MB-231 and HUVEC cells. Experiments were carried out in triplicate. For statistical evaluation, all analyses were performed using ANOVA, and differences with a p value of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that the extract reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells in a manner dependent on both exposure time and concentration, while in contrast, HUVEC cells exhibited an increase in viability after 24 and 48 hours of treatment. The IC₅₀ value was 148.92 µg/mL. cratch assays showed that the extract suppressed migration in MDA-MB-231 cells with no effect on HUVEC cells. RT-qPCR revealed increased Bcl-xL and decreased Bak, Caspase-3, and Caspase-8 in HUVEC cells, whereas MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited reduced Bcl-xL and elevated Bak, Caspase-3, and Caspase-8. Conclusion: These findings indicate that aronia fruit extract exhibits selective pro-apoptotic and cytotoxic effects in breast cancer cells while maintaining a safe profile in healthy cells. Further studies are required to elucidate molecular mechanisms related to apoptosis and evaluate the preclinical and clinical potential of aronia fruit extract.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was not required for this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sinem Gültekin Tosun ^*
0009-0009-0899-3434
Türkiye

Ayla Solmaz Avcıkurt
0000-0002-1521-7152
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 16, 2026

Submission Date

October 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1806065

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57SB29XW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Gültekin Tosun S, Solmaz Avcıkurt A (January 1, 2026) Comparative Evaluation of the Anti-Proliferative, Apoptotic, and Migratory Effects of Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Extract on Breast Cancer Cells and Healthy Endothelial Cells. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 January, February, March 2026