Natural bioactive from Euphorbia umbellata latex as a modulator of mitochondrial activity in breast cancer cells

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative effect, antitumor and modulation of the mitochondrial electrical potential of the acetate and chloroform fractions and the methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane and ether subfractions extracted from Euphorbia umbellata. The cytotoxicity of fractions and subfractions was evaluated by the MTT colorimetric assay after 24h at concentrations ranging from 2-30 μg/mL, also the mitochondrial electrical potential by confocal microscopy. A reduction in cell viability was observed, with cytotoxicity in most treatments for all cells with a marked reduction in mitochondrial electrical potential. Possibly the treatments are modulating regulated cell death pathways. The acetate and chloroform fractions showed the highest cytotoxic potential with greater selectivity for tumor cells.