Cytotoxicity Effect of Extract of Hull Less Seed Pumpkin on Human Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cell Line

Introduction: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy tumor, and its incidence is increasing. Chemotherapy drugs such as Paclitaxel (PTX) are common treatment for cancer, but they have many side effects. Plants are as a source of anticancer agents.  The purpose of this study was the assessment of cytotoxic effects of hydro-alcoholic extract in comparison with those of Paclitaxel on papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cell line. Methods: PTC cell line was treated by different concentrations of extract and Paclitaxel for 24, 48, and 72hrs. Cytotoxicity was examined through Trypan blue assay and clonogenic assay. Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) staining was used for the detection of apoptotic cells. The observations were statistically tabulated and analyzed. Results: The results obtained from Trypan blue staining showed that hydro-alcoholic extract had cytotoxic effect on PTC cells. Our results of AO/EB staining showed that hydro-alcoholic extract of HLSP in the concentration of 100μl/ml and more induced significant apoptosis in the PTC cultured cell (P<0.05). In addition, the AO/EB staining showed an increase in the number of apoptotic cells with increasing the concentration of extract and Paclitaxel. The clonogenic assay showed a decrease in colonies by increasing the concentration. Comparison of the groups treated by Paclitaxel or extract with the control group showed significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: The extract had a cytotoxic effect on human PTC cell line. Based on the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, the extract can be considered as a beneficial agent that may be used for PTC treatment.