Abstract
Background:
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Current treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. These options improve survival but often cause serious side effects. Therefore, researchers are looking for natural products that may provide safer anticancer effects. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes) contain many bioactive compounds. These include phenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Such compounds are known for their antioxidant and anticancer activities.

Aim:
This study aimed to compare the cytotoxic effects of aqueous extracts from broccoli and mushroom. The cytotoxic activity of aqueous extracts of broccoli and mushroom was evaluated on human prostate cancer (PC-3) cells and normal human foreskin fibroblast-1 (HFF-1) cells. This study used total aqueous extract of broccoli without separating specific phytochemicals. No quantification of a specific ingredient was included because the focus was on the overall cytotoxic effect.

Methods:
Extracts were prepared by drying, grinding, and dissolving the plant material in distilled water. They were then tested at concentrations between 25 and 800 μg/ml. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to measure cell viability after 24 h of treatment. Normal HFF-1 levels were also tested for safety. Morphological changes were observed using SEM.

Results:
Both extracts reduced cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. At 800 μg/ml, broccoli extract reduced viability to 56.75%, whereas mushroom extract reduced viability to 41.09%. The IC50 values were 856.33 μg/ml for broccoli and 713.37 μg/ml for mushroom. SEM analysis revealed more pronounced cell shrinkage and surface damage with mushroom extract. Normal HFF-1 cells remained largely unaffected, but broccoli showed slightly more toxicity than mushroom. The differences between the two extracts were significant (p ≤ 0.05). The IC₅₀ values were 856.3 µg/ml for broccoli and 713.4 µg/ml for mushroom extract. Normal HFF-1 cells remained largely unaffected, indicating that mushroom extract has a better safety profile and higher selectivity.

Conclusion:
Mushroom extract was more effective than broccoli extract in reducing prostate cancer cell viability.

Key words: Anticancer activity; Brassica oleracea; Cytotoxicity; Flammulina velutipes; Prostate cancer.