Curcumin-Etoposide Synergy: Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms of Enhanced Apoptosis and Chemoresistance Attenuation in Breast Cancer
| Author | Bahar Jaberian Asl | en |
| Author | Reza Afarin | en |
| Author | Mahdi Hatami | en |
| Author | Amineh Dehghani Madiseh | en |
| Author | Mohammadreza Roshanazadeh | en |
| Author | Mojtaba Rashidi | en |
| Orcid | Bahar Jaberian Asl [0000-0003-0634-6697] | en |
| Orcid | Reza Afarin [0000-0003-3644-0668] | en |
| Issued Date | 2024-12-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Combining natural compounds with chemotherapeutic agents has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment. Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenol, is known for its anti-cancer properties, including the ability to induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycle progression. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Cur and etoposide (ETO), both individually and in combination, on the induction of apoptosis in breast cancer (BC) cell lines. Methods: The impact of Cur and ETO on cell proliferation was assessed using MTT viability assays. Apoptosis induction by these drugs was evaluated through Annexin V flow cytometry and caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity assays. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to measure Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression levels. Western blotting was conducted to determine protein levels of p53, p21, Bax, and Bcl-2. Results: A non-significant dose of ETO was selected based on MTT assay results and combined with 75 µM of Cur. Curcumin enhanced ETO’s pro-apoptotic effect by increasing caspase activities. The combination of Cur and ETO significantly reduced Bcl-2 gene expression while upregulating Bax expression. Furthermore, treatment with this combination elevated the protein levels of p53, p21, and Bax, compared to ETO or Cur alone, while significantly decreasing Bcl-2 protein levels. Conclusions: Cur has the potential to amplify ETO-induced apoptosis in BC cells. This combination may offer a promising therapeutic approach for BC. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpr-150978 | en |
| Keyword | Breast Cancer | en |
| Keyword | Combination | en |
| Keyword | Curcumin | en |
| Keyword | Etoposide | en |
| Keyword | Apoptosis | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Curcumin-Etoposide Synergy: Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms of Enhanced Apoptosis and Chemoresistance Attenuation in Breast Cancer | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |