Synergistic anti-cancer activity of the combination of dihydroartemisinin and doxorubicin in breast cancer cells.
Journal Title: Pharmacological Reports - Year 2013, Vol 65, Issue 2
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 DHA also 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.
Authors and Affiliations
Guo-Sheng Wu, Jin-Jian Lu, Jia-Jie Guo, Ming-Qing Huang, Li Gan, Xiu-Ping Chen, Yi-Tao Wang
Keywords
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