Inhibitory Effects of Crude and Filtered Extracts from Oral Disk of Sea Anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni) on MCF-7 Cell Line

background: sea anemones are toxic sedentary invertebrates that are often present in the intertidal zone. objectives: in this study, cytotoxic effects of the crude extract and its fractions from the oral disk of stichodactyla haddoni on breast cancer cell line mcf-7 were investigated. methods: samples were collected from the intertidal zone in the persian gulf. phosphate buffer saline (pbs) and millipore filters were used to prepare the crude extract and its fractions, respectively. mcf-7 cells were exposed to the crude extract or one of its five fractions, (with molecular weights < 3 kda to > 100 kda) at concentrations of 200 to 1400 μg/ml for 24 to 48 hours. results: all treatments inhibited the growth of mcf-7 cancer cells. the highest inhibitory effect belonged to fractions 2 and 5, with 85 and 81.3% lethality, respectively. these fractions with the concentration of 1200 and 1400 μg/ml had the most anticancer effects against mcf-7. conclusions: the 1200 μg/ml concentration of fraction 5 containing peptides < 3 kda is recommended for separation and purification of its components for pharmacological studies to control breast cancer.