Abstract

In the past few decades, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl )-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay has been widely used to screen the potential anticancer activity of both synthetic as well as natural compounds and extracts, with the aim to study the antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties of these agents. In the current review article, the main principles of the MTT methodology are described by analysing the advantages and limitations of this chemosensitivity assay. The possible applications of this method are also discussed.