Interaction Effect of Methotrexate and Aspirin on MCF7 cell line Proliferation: In vitro Study

Abstract

Methotrexate, a folic acid molecular alternative inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), is employed for the treatment of various types of tumors combined with aspirin; acetylsalicylic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The present study aimed to detect the combined effects of both medications on MCF7 cell line activity. The drug combinations of aspirin and methotrexate were tested for cytotoxicity against the breast cancer cell line MCF7 using the MTT assay. The results showed that methotrexate, aspirin, and combination drugs have potent cytotoxicity against MCF7 cells. The mean IC50 of the methotrexate-treated group was 155.7 µg/ml (range, 77.89 to 311µg/ml. However, the IC50 of the aspirin-treated group was 465 µg/ml (range, 243.3 to 888.6 µg/ml). The IC50 of combination drugs used in the CompuSyn Isobologram on MCF7 cell lines, the cytotoxicity of medications methotrexate, aspirin, and combination demonstrated a synergistic action, and combination drugs have potent cytotoxicity against MCF7 cell lines. In conclusion, the combination of methotrexate and aspirin has a potent anticancer effect.