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Synergistic anti-cancer activity of the combination of dihydroartemisinin and doxorubicin in breast cancer cells
- Source :
- Pharmacological reports : PR. 65(2)
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Background Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) exhibits potent anti-malarial and anti-cancer activities. This study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of a combination of DHA and doxorubicin (DOX) on human breast cancer cells. Methods MTT assay and the combination index (CI) were used to show the anti-proliferative effects and calculate the synergism potential, respectively. Flow cytometry assay was used to detect apoptosis and the intracellular accumulation of DOX. JC-1 staining was used to determine the mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression of some apoptosis-related molecules. Results Asynergistic anti-proliferative effect was found, and the enhanced anti-cancer activity was observed to be accompanied by the prompt onset of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. The combinative treatment remarkably decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and activated caspase cascades more than the mono-treatment. Pretreatment with DHAalso did not influence the accumulation of DOX in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion This study presented a new opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of future treatment regimens of breast cancer using DOX.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_treatment
Blotting, Western
Dihydroartemisinin
Antineoplastic Agents
Apoptosis
Breast Neoplasms
Biology
Pharmacology
medicine
Humans
MTT assay
Doxorubicin
Cell Proliferation
Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
Cancer
Drug Synergism
General Medicine
medicine.disease
Flow Cytometry
Artemisinins
Blot
MCF-7
Caspases
Cancer cell
MCF-7 Cells
Female
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 22995684
- Volume :
- 65
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Pharmacological reports : PR
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....82eeae6fc7deac17f9b9cb210fce218a