Bromelain-Induced Apoptosis in the GI-101A Breast Cancer Cell Line

Bromelain-Induced Apoptosis in the GI-101A Breast Cancer Cell Line

Bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapples, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti- edematous, and anti-thrombotic properties. Although research has pointed to bromelain's possible anti- cancer activity, little is understood of bromelain's role in inducing apoptosis. In this study, breast cancer cells were treated with varying concentrations of bromelain to determine the enzyme's effect on their growth and the induction of apoptosis. GI-IOIA breast cancer cells were subjected to a dose response experiment using a range of bromelain concentrations. Bromelain-treated cells, in addition to control cells, were stained with DAPI to assess the extent of apoptosis. DAPI binds to the minor groove of A-T regions of double-stranded DNA and causes them to fluoresce blue when exposed to 350-450 nm light. Apoptotic cells are identified by their condensed chromatin, nuclear fragmentation, or membrane blebbing. The M30-Apoptosense ELISA immunoassay was used to determine apoptosis by detecting levels of CK18 fragments in both control and bromelain-treated cells. As cells undergo apoptosis, they cleave the protein CK18 containing the CKI 8Asp396 neo-epitope. The M30 antibody recognizes the neo-epitope and allows for the determination of apoptosis. Results of the dose response showed that as bromelain concentrations increased, the number of viable cells decreased, When stained with DAPI, the bromelain-treated samples demonstrated significant chromatin condensation in comparison to the control group. Results of the M30-Apoptosense ELISA immunoassay show that compared to the control group, as the concentration of bromelain was increased, the absorbance of CK18 containing the CK19Asp396 neo-epitope also increased. These results indicate that in addition to negatively affecting the growth of GI- IOIA breast cancer cells, bromelain can also induce apoptosis.