Hanaa H Gaballah1, Rasha A Gaber2, Darin A Mohamed3. 1. Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, 3111, Egypt. Electronic address: hanaahibishy@hotmail.com. 2. Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, 3111, Egypt. 3. Histopathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, 3111, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) has exhibited effectiveness against cancer, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to enhance its antitumor efficiency and modulate its cytotoxity. Apigenin, a flavonoid present in fruits and vegetables, is a potent dietary phytochemical effective in cancer chemoprevention. AIM: This study was undertaken to investigate the potential synergistic antitumor activity of apigenin and 5-FU on Solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC). METHODS: Eighty Swiss albino male mice were divided into four equal groups: vehicle treated control SEC, SEC+5-FU, SEC+apigenin, SEC+ 5-FU+apigenin. Beclin-1 and caspases 3, 9 and JNK activities were estimated by ELISA; mRNA expression levels of the antiapoptotic gene Mcl-1 were estimated using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, while tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated spectrophotometrically. A part of the tumor was examined for histopathological and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: 5-FU and/or apigenin caused significant increase in tissue levels of Beclin-1, caspases 3, 9 and JNK activities, MDA with significant decrease in tumor volume, Mcl-1expression, tissue glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity and alleviated the histopathological changes with significant decrease of Ki-67 proliferation index compared to vehicle treated SEC control group. IN CONCLUSION: The combination of 5-FU and apigenin had a greater effect than each of 5-FU or apigenin alone against solid Ehrlich carcinoma in mice.
BACKGROUND: Although 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) has exhibited effectiveness against cancer, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to enhance its antitumor efficiency and modulate its cytotoxity. Apigenin, a flavonoid present in fruits and vegetables, is a potent dietary phytochemical effective in cancer chemoprevention. AIM: This study was undertaken to investigate the potential synergistic antitumor activity of apigenin and 5-FU on Solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC). METHODS: Eighty Swiss albino male mice were divided into four equal groups: vehicle treated control SEC, SEC+5-FU, SEC+apigenin, SEC+ 5-FU+apigenin. Beclin-1 and caspases 3, 9 and JNK activities were estimated by ELISA; mRNA expression levels of the antiapoptotic gene Mcl-1 were estimated using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, while tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated spectrophotometrically. A part of the tumor was examined for histopathological and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS:5-FU and/or apigenin caused significant increase in tissue levels of Beclin-1, caspases 3, 9 and JNK activities, MDA with significant decrease in tumor volume, Mcl-1expression, tissue glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity and alleviated the histopathological changes with significant decrease of Ki-67 proliferation index compared to vehicle treated SEC control group. IN CONCLUSION: The combination of 5-FU and apigenin had a greater effect than each of 5-FU or apigenin alone against solid Ehrlich carcinoma in mice.
Authors: Mohamed El-Sherbiny; Rehab M El-Sayed; Mohamed A Helal; Afaf T Ibrahiem; Hoda S Elmahdi; Mohamed Ahmed Eladl; Shymaa E Bilay; Asma M Alshahrani; Mona K Tawfik; Ziad E Hamed; Amany O Mohamed; Sawsan A Zaitone Journal: Molecules Date: 2021-11-13 Impact factor: 4.411