Viability of cultured mammalian cells is evaluated by a variety of techniques. In this study, experimental results
of fast cell viability assays were compared to reveal the most suitable method for determination of
hyperthermia effect on viability of human breast cancer Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell line. The
cells were exposed to heat at 42˚C for 2 hours to estimate the percentage of cell viability using four assays
(trypan blue, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and crystal violet, (CV). There was a mild decrease in percentage
of cell viability as the duration of heat exposure increased. Of the three counting techniques, the crystal violet
nuclei showed consistent and significantly higher value (70.58±1.97) than trypan blue and LDH assay
(81.07±20.12 and 77.06±11.84 respectively) (p< 0.05). This study reveals that CVwas the most sensitive assay
for adherent cell. It is also very effective; simple; and permits many samples to be analyzed rapidly and
simultaneously.