The effects of sertraline on breast cancer (MDAMB-231) cells viability in vitro

Abstract

Antidepressant drugs have been reported to affect the viability of cancer cells; however, the effects of the antidepressant sertraline on breast cancer cells is still unclear. The present study investigated the cytotoxic effects of sertraline on breast cancer cell viability in vitro. In this experimental-laboratory study, MDAMB-231 breast cancer cells were divided into control (untreated) and groups treated with 1.56, 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg / ml of sertraline. Cell viability was measured 24 hours after treatment using MTT assay method. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that treatment with 1.56 μg / ml of sertraline had no significant effect on the viability of MDAMB-231 cells, however, sertraline with concentrations ≥ 3.12 μg / ml significantly reduced the MDAMB-231 cell viability after 24 and 48 hours. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicated that sertraline has cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells in a dose dependent manner.