Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC), which make up 90% of all bladder cancers, arise from the transitional epithelium of the bladder. Even though several drugs have been proven to be highly effective chemotherapeutic agents for treating bladder carcinoma, TCC cells show resistance to a wide range of synthetic and natural drugs. Therefore, enormous researches have been directed towards finding anticancer agents against TCCs. In present study, dechloromethane extract of Peteridium aquilinum was evaluated for its possible chromatin condensation and DNA damage inducing effects on TCC cells. RESULTS: The plant P. aquilinum was collected from Gilan province and its dichloromethane extract was prepared. To study its possible DNA damage inducing effects, the TCC cells were treated the extract for 24 hours and then examined for induction of chromatin condensation by DAPI staining. These cells were also looked for DNA damage using alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis approach (comet assay). Results obtained from DAPI staining shows that in comparison with the control (DMSO treated) and untreated cells, dichloromethane extract of P. aquilinum increased the chromatin condensation of the cells by 33%. Furthermore, results of comet assay, which is a sensitive microscopy-based method for detection of a variety of DNA lesions, revealed that the IC50 of the extract increased DNA damage by 41 %. CONCLUSION: The ability of P. aquilinum to induce chromatin condensation and DNA damage on TCC cells would make this plant a good candidate to be introduced as a potential natural source in cancer studies.

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