en پزشکی مولکولی Molecular Medicine Research Article Research Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b>Background:</b> Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women globally, necessitating the exploration of novel therapies with minimal side effects. Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA), a lectin derived from stinging nettle, exhibits antiproliferative properties in various cancers; however, its effects on breast cancer cells remain underexplored. This study evaluates the cytotoxic potential of UDA against MCF-7 breast cancer cells while assessing its impact on normal mammary (MCF-10A) and embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells.<br> <b>Methods:</b> UDA was purified from Urtica dioica rhizomes by affinity chromatography and confirmed by SDS-PAGE (8.5 - 9.5 kDa) and agglutination assays. MCF-7, MCF-10A, and HEK-293 cells were treated with different concentrations of UDA (7.5 - 480 &micro;g/mL) for 24 and 48 hours. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assays to measure cell viability.<br> <b>Results:</b> UDA significantly inhibited MCF-7 proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.01 at 24 hours; P < 0.0001 at 48 hours). At 240 &micro;g/mL (During 48 hours), viability dropped below 50%, while normal HEK-293 cells showed < 30% toxicity. MCF-10A proliferation remained unaffected, even at 480 &micro;g/mL.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: UDA selectively targets breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with minimal toxicity to normal cells, positioning it as a promising anticancer candidate. Further studies are needed to elucidate its mechanism of action and apoptosis-inducing potential.</span></span></div> Urtica Dioica Agglutinin, Stinging nettle, MCF-7 Cells, Cytotoxicity 0 0 http://mlj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1949-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Esmail Samadian essamadian@gmail.com 100319475328460032725 100319475328460032725 No Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran Arash Golalipour Arash3096@gmail.com 100319475328460032726 100319475328460032726 No Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Mohammadali Vakili vakili@goums.ac.ir 100319475328460032727 100319475328460032727 No Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran Hasan Mohammed hassan.iqyousif@gmail.com 100319475328460032728 0009-0007-0961-1296 No Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Laboratories of Imam Al-Sadiq Hospital, Ministry of Health, Babylon Governorate, Iraq Azam Rashidbaghan rashidbaghan@yahoo.com 100319475328460032729 100319475328460032729 Yes Neonatal and Children’s Health Research Center, Taleghani Hospital, Janbazan Boulevard, Gorgan, Iran