LAUSR

Abstract Among different metallic compounds, tellurium (Te) was investigated as having anticancer properties. In the current investigation, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line was cultured with or without tellurite to measure live cells by crystal violet staining. TrxR systems can be acted as a leader for anticancer therapy by eliminating cancerous cells through inhibition of TrxR and glutathione reductase (GR). Oxidative stress, generated in higher concentration in tellurite exposed cells, leads to lower the cell reduced environment such as reduced glutathione GSH) and non-protein thiol. Tellurite exposed cells underwent both type of cell death via necrosis and apoptosis. The lateral was slowed as tellurite concentration increased which was measured by caspase-3 activity, thus this finding would be very useful for determination of type and extent of cell death occurred by tellurite via biochemical and morphological ways. By elucidating the role of tellurite in inducing cell death in carcinoma cells by increased production of reactive oxygen species, this method could be employed for the treatment of carcinoma cells.