Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Mehmet Kadir Erdoğan; Aydın Sever; Ramazan Gundogdu; İbrahim Halil Geçibesler

doi:10.21448/ijsm.1841301

Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Abstract

The therapeutic exploration of plant-derived bioactive molecules in oncology has gained substantial momentum in recent years, driven by their diverse mechanisms of action and relatively favourable safety profiles. In this context, the present study investigates the anticancer potential of Aloe-emodin (AE), a naturally occurring anthraquinone extracted from Rheum ribes, against MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. To evaluate the cytotoxic and mechanistic effects of AE, a comprehensive panel of in vitro assays was employed. These included the Neutral Red Uptake assay to quantify cell viability, colony formation assays to assess long-term proliferative capacity, and wound-healing assays to examine the impact of AE on cellular migration. Additionally, Caspase-3 ELISA was utilised to determine apoptotic activation, while Western blot analyses were conducted to characterise AE-induced changes in key apoptosis-related and survival-associated protein expression profiles. AE demonstrated potent antiproliferative activity against the MCF-7 cell line, as evidenced by the viability assays. In functional experiments, AE markedly impaired cellular migration and significantly diminished colony-forming capacity. Mechanistically, AE treatment led to a pronounced increase in Caspase-3 activity and upregulated key apoptotic markers, including p53 and cleaved PARP (c-PARP), collectively supporting the activation of apoptosis-mediated cell death pathways. Our findings demonstrate that AE exerts pronounced cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, underscoring its potential as a promising adjunct or alternative therapeutic candidate in breast cancer management. Nonetheless, further mechanistic and translational studies are required to fully elucidate its molecular mode of action and evaluate its clinical applicability.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was conducted at the Cancer Research Laboratory of Bingöl University.

Thanks

We would like to thank the laboratory staff for their assistance, and Dr. Alpaslan Koçak for plant identification.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mehmet Kadir Erdoğan ^*
0000-0002-1579-5737
Türkiye

Aydın Sever
0000-0002-6727-1556
Türkiye

Ramazan Gundogdu
0000-0001-5230-2121
Türkiye

İbrahim Halil Geçibesler
0000-0002-4473-2671
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

October 17, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

December 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1841301

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA66HZ72CA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Erdoğan, M. K., Sever, A., Gundogdu, R., & Geçibesler, İ. H. (2026). Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite, Advanced Online Publication, 1040-1055. https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1841301

AMA

1.Erdoğan MK, Sever A, Gundogdu R, Geçibesler İH. Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Int. J. Sec. Metabolite. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):1040-1055. doi:10.21448/ijsm.1841301

Chicago

Erdoğan, Mehmet Kadir, Aydın Sever, Ramazan Gundogdu, and İbrahim Halil Geçibesler. 2026. “Aloe-Emodin Isolated from Rheum Ribes Induces Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells”. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite, no. Advanced Online Publication: 1040-55. https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1841301.

EndNote

Erdoğan MK, Sever A, Gundogdu R, Geçibesler İH (October 1, 2026) Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite Advanced Online Publication 1040–1055.

IEEE

[1]M. K. Erdoğan, A. Sever, R. Gundogdu, and İ. H. Geçibesler, “Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells”, Int. J. Sec. Metabolite, no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 1040–1055, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.21448/ijsm.1841301.

ISNAD

Erdoğan, Mehmet Kadir - Sever, Aydın - Gundogdu, Ramazan - Geçibesler, İbrahim Halil. “Aloe-Emodin Isolated from Rheum Ribes Induces Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells”. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite. Advanced Online Publication (October 1, 2026): 1040-1055. https://doi.org/10.21448/ijsm.1841301.

JAMA

1.Erdoğan MK, Sever A, Gundogdu R, Geçibesler İH. Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Int. J. Sec. Metabolite. 2026;:1040–1055.

MLA

Erdoğan, Mehmet Kadir, et al. “Aloe-Emodin Isolated from Rheum Ribes Induces Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells”. International Journal of Secondary Metabolite, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, pp. 1040-55, doi:10.21448/ijsm.1841301.

Vancouver

1.Mehmet Kadir Erdoğan, Aydın Sever, Ramazan Gundogdu, İbrahim Halil Geçibesler. Aloe-emodin isolated from Rheum ribes induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Int. J. Sec. Metabolite. 2026 Oct. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):1040-55. doi:10.21448/ijsm.1841301