Dose-Dependent Bimodal Effect of Pomegranate Peel Extracts on MCF-7 Cells: The Role of Solvent Polarity

This study evaluates the modulatory effects of extracts obtained from Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel using solvents of different polarities on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 method after 24 hours of incubation with extracts at concentrations of 1 and 2μl/ml. The positive control (H₂O₂) validated the experiment by reducing viability to 6.67% (p<0.001). While no significant effect was observed at the lower concentration (1 μl/ml), the methanolic extract at the 2 μl/ml dose increased viability to 103.24%, significantly promoting proliferation compared to both the control group and its lower dose (p<0.05). This dose-dependent bimodal effect exhibited by the methanolic extract (mild inhibition at low doses and proliferation at higher doses) highlights how the biological activity of P. granatum peel is highly sensitive to the solvent and concentration used. These results suggest that the role of natural products in cancer research should be evaluated beyond simple cytotoxicity, considering their potential to modulate complex cellular responses.