The tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline is cytotoxic to hjuman breast cancer (MCF7) cells

Abstract

Although many studies suggest that antidepressants can affect cancer cell growth and proliferation, the results are still challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of amitriptyline on MCF7 viability in vitro. Breast cancer (MCF7) cells were divided into control group and groups treated with 1250, 625, 312.5, 156.25, 78.125, 39.0625 μg/ml of amitriptyline. 24 and 48 hours after treatment, cell viability was assessed by MTT method. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Cell viability significantly decreased in MCF7 cells treated with amitriptyline (39.06, 78.12, 156.25, 312.50, 625 and 1250 μg/ml) compared to control group 24 and 48 hours after treatment; however, treatment of MCF7 cells with 39.06 μg/ml of amitriptyline did not significantly change the cell viability compared with control group. Calculated IC50 for 48 hours was more than IC50 calculated for amitriptyline during 24 hours of treatment. Our findings indicated that amitriptyline has significant cytotoxic effects on breast cancer (MCF7) cells in vitro. Increased treatment duration leads to increased cytotoxic capability of amitriptyline on MCF7 cells.