Synergistic effects of and radiotherapy on induction of cytotoxicity in HeLa cell line.

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women, worldwide; and for treatment of this type of cancer radiotherapy is commonly used. Boiss ("Barije" in Persian, from the family Apiaceae), (F. gummosa), is an extremely precious medicinal plant which naturally grows throughout the Mediterranean and Central Asia and is a native plant in Iran. The present study examined the cytotoxic effects of in terms of induction of apoptosis and radiosensitivity in HeLa cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to determine cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, the cells were incubated with different concentrations of the plant resin (0-1000 µg/ml) for 24, 48 and 72 hr. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. The role of apoptosis in cytotoxicity was investigated using flow cytometry following propidium iodide (PI) staining of DNA. For radiosensitivity assessment, -treated cells were exposed to 2 Gy γ-rays, and cytotoxicity was determined in irradiated and non-irradiated (control) groups by MTT and the synergism factor was calculated.

RESULTS

decreased cell viability in HeLa cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that apoptosis is involved in -induced cytotoxicity. Co-administration of and radiotherapy showed that this plant at non-toxic low doses, could result in almost 5-fold increment in sensitization of cells towards radiation-induced toxicity.

CONCLUSION

The concurrent use of and radiation increases radiosensitivity and cell death. Therefore, can be considered as a potential radiosensitizer agent against cervical cancer.