Background and Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the proliferation inhibitory effects of seed protein extract from chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) on cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: The chickpea water, soluble proteins from ammonium sulphate precipitates, was called R1 and R5. The anti-proliferative properties of all fractions were evaluated by MTT assay. Morphological analysis using fluorescence microscopy was performed to show the ability of the extract to induce cell apoptosis. Results: MTT assay revealed that the protein extract fractions of R3 and R4 had strong antiproliferative properties against Hela (cervical cancer cells), MCF-7 (breast cancer cell) and Saos (Sarcoma osteogenic) at all levels of concentration (0, 25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 µg/ml) and they were tested at different times (24, 48, and 72 h). In addition, the data further revealed that the chickpea proteins showed the greatest activity against Hela and had the lowest effect on fibroblast. Conclusion: The results also demonstrated that chickpea proteins can be a source of bio- active components and can also be regarded as an alternative source of a new anticancer drug.
