Effects of alpha-hederin and thymoquinone, constituents of Nigella sativa, on human cancer cell lines.

Abstract

The separate effects of alpha-hederin and thymoquinone, the two principal bioactive constituents of Nigella sativa, on four human cancer cell lines [A549 (lung carcinoma), HEp-2 (larynx epidermoid carcinoma), HT-29 (colon adenocarcinoma) and MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas carcinoma)] were investigated. Alpha-hederin was also examined as a pro-drug. Each assessment quantified both cytotoxic and apoptotic/necrotic effects. Alpha-hederin and thymoquinone separately induced a dose- and time-dependent effect on the cell lines tested. HEp-2 cells were the most sensitive, exhibiting apoptosis with a higher incidence following thymoquinone treatment. Pre-treatment of cells with alpha-hederin, followed by thymoquinone or cisplatin, did not enhance the cytotoxicity or apoptosis induced by either drug. So, the membrane-perforating properties associated with saponins, here represented by alpha-hederin, enhance neither cytotoxicity nor apoptosis of these cancer cells.

• Authors: Sara Rooney, M F Ryan
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2005 May-Jun Vol. 25 Issue 3B Pg. 2199-204 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 16158964 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzoquinones
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Prodrugs
• Saponins
• beta-hederin
• Oleanolic Acid
• thymoquinone

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (drug therapy)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Benzoquinones (pharmacology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Colonic Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• HT29 Cells
• Humans
• Inhibitory Concentration 50
• Laryngeal Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Necrosis
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Nigella sativa (chemistry)
• Oleanolic Acid (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Prodrugs (pharmacology)
• Saponins (pharmacology)