Antitumor Effects of L-citrulline on Hela Cervical Cancer Cell Lines.

AIM: Cervical cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy. This study aims to examine the anticancer effects of L-citrulline on HeLa cell culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HeLa cells were cultured in complete Eagle's minimum essential medium. HeLa cells were seeded in 96-well plates and incubated with L-citrulline. After incubation, MTT dye was added and incubated. Annexin- V technique was used to test the apoptosis. The activated caspases of HeLa cells by L-citrulline exposure were measured with the Caspase 3/7 technique. One-way variance analysis was conducted for statistical analysis by using GraphPad Prism 6.0 for Windows. RESULTS: L-citrulline showed its toxicity on HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner in application times of 24 and 48 hours. The IC50 dose of L-citrulline was 0.19 and 0.16 mg/mL at 24 and 48 hours, respectively. When HeLa cells were exposed to an IC50 dose of L-citrulline for 24 hours, the percentages of the dead, early apoptotic, and late apoptotic cells were detected to be 0.75%, 23.05%, and 12.75%, respectively. The differences in the wideness of the scratch area were observed at the initial stage and after 24 hours of applying L-citrulline. CONCLUSION: L-citrulline showed its toxicity on HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner. Based on Annexin and Caspase findings, it can be concluded that L-citrulline exerted a pro-apoptotic effect on HeLa cells in only a short exposure time. L-citrulline also showed a migration inhibitory effect. The findings of this study indicate L-citrulline to be worthy of investigation for its anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo, and as a candidate for cancer therapy.

Antitumor Effects of Turmeric on OVCAR-3 Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.

INTRODUCTION: Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy, usually not detected until the late stages. In vitro cell culture is a method used to study the behavior of cells in a controlled environment. Turmeric has attracted the attention of scientists due to its anticancer potential. METHODS: OVCAR-3 cells were cultured in RPMI medium with 100 units/mL-100 µg/mL of penicillin-streptomycin and 10% foetal bovine serum in a CO2 incubator. Turmeric extract was diluted in DMSO. Different concentrations of turmeric extract were prepared. Annexin-V staining was performed to test the translocation of phosphatidylserine to the outer side of the cell membrane as a clear indicator of apoptosis. RESULTS: Turmeric extract significantly reduced the viability of OVCAR-3 cells both within 24 and 48 hours of exposure. OVCAR-3 cells were treated with IC50 concentration of turmeric extract for 24 hours. 82.60% of cells were viable. The percentages of the dead, early apoptotic, and late apoptotic cells were detected to be 0.80%, 9.70%, and 6.90%, respectively. Untreated OVCAR-3 cells had migration ability. OVCAR-3 cells exposed to an IC50 concentration of turmeric extract for 24 hours did not close the scratch area. CONCLUSION: In this research, anticancer effects of turmeric have been demonstrated by different analysis methods.

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation by the cyclooxgenase enzyme blocker nimesulide in the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell line.

OBJECTIVES: Endometrial cancer remains a leading cause of death in women and therefore the development of new therapies is essential. The present study evaluated the effects of nimesulide alone, cisplatin alone, and combination of cisplatin and nimesulide on an Ishikawa cell line with respect to cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis in vitro. STUDY DESIGN: Ishikawa cells were treated with increasing doses of nimesulide alone, cisplatin alone, and a combination of cisplatin and nimesulide. Subsequently their effects on cytotoxicity were investigated by MTT assay, while apoptosis was investigated by DAPI and JC-1 staining and caspase-3 colorimetric assays. RESULTS: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed that nimesulide alone and combination of cisplatin and nimesulide have growth inhibitory effect on Ishikawa cells. Nimesulide alone and the combination of cisplatin and nimesulide induced apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by nimesulide might be related to caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that nimesulide treatment is as effective as cisplatin treatment in Ishikawa cells. The combination of cisplatin and nimesulide treatment is more effective than cisplatin alone in Ishikawa cells.