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Rowshan A Begum

Publications and source records attributed to Rowshan A Begum.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa L.) and oxidative stress on the survival pattern of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

N. Sativa L., an oriental spice, has long been used as a natural medicine for treatment of many acute as well as chronic conditions. It has been used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and dermatological conditions. There has been very few studies on the effects of N. Sativa as cancer prevention/therapy. Our objective therefore, was to expose MCF-7 breast cancer cells to aqueous and alcohol extracts and in combination with H2O2 as an oxidative stressor. Measurement of cell survival under various concentrations and combinations was conducted using standard cell culture techniques, exposure protocols in 96 well plates and Fluoro-spectrosphotometry. Following cellular growth to 90% confluency, exposure to water (WE) and ethanol (AE) extracts of N. sativa and H2O2 was performed. Toxicity index (LC50) was calculated from percent survival using regression analysis. Results showed that the alcohol extract and its combinations were able to completely inactivate the MCF-7 cells (LC50 ranged from 377.16-573.79 in descending potency for H2O2 + AE, AE and Mix of WE and AE). H2O2 alone effectively inactivated MCF-7 cells (LC50 = 460.94). The least effective combinations in descending potency were WE + H2O2, WE + AE + H2O2, and WE (LC50 were 725.79, 765.94, and 940.5 respectively. Combinations other than AE + H2O2 showed possible interactions, which lead to reduction in their potency. In conclusion, N. Sativa alone or in combination with oxidative stress were found to be effective in vitro in inactivating MCF-7 breast cancer cells, unveiling opportunities for promising results in the field of prevention and treatment of cancer.

Adenosarcoma↗

Pifithrin-alpha (PFT-alpha) caused differential protection of rat liver cells and HepG2 cell line in response to the selective cytotoxicity of arsenic and cadmium.

In response to genotoxic agents, normal cells are instructed by p53 to either perform DNA repair or to commit suicide. Since chemo and/or radiotherapy damage both normal and cancerous cells, the use of PFT-alpha, a reversible inhibitor of down stream function of p53, was suggested as a temporary inhibitor of p53-induced cell damage. Our objective therefore, was (1) to assess the inherent response of HepG2 and rat liver cells to the effects of arsenic and cadmium and (2) to evaluate the role of PFT-alpha in the differential protection of rat liver and HepG2 cells. Following cellular growth to 90% confluency, exposure to cytotoxic agents in presence of PFT-alpha (10 ppm) or its absence was performed. Cell survival was detected fluorometrically using fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and an Ascent Fluoroskan. Toxicity index (LC50) was calculated from percent survival using regression analysis. Results showed an average of 46 fold inherent resistance of rat liver cells to arsenic in comparison to HepG2 cells (LC50 range of 573.15-670 vs. 13.4-13.7 ppm respectively). An average of 8 fold inherent resistance was also attributed to rat liver cells in response to cadmium (LC50 range of 57.72-58.1 vs. 6.99-7.35 ppm respectively). PFT-alpha did not show significant difference in protecting HepG2 cells against cadmium or arsenic. In contrast, there was significant difference in the protection of rat liver cells upon exposure to arsenic. We conclude that Pifithrin-alpha exhibits protection to normal cells, which can play an important role in cancer chemotherapy.

Animals↗