Volume 49 Number 3

Polycarpol from roots of Melodorum fruticosum enhances antiproliferative activities of chemotherapeutic drugs against human cervical cancer cells

Komsil Pholdaeng^a, Ratsami Lekphrom^b, Arunta Samankul^a, Gulsiri Senawong^a, Thanaset Senawong^a,*

 
ABSTRACT:     Cervical cancer is the most reported cases of the global public health concern and a leading cause of female death worldwide. Chemotherapy plays a key role in tumor control, but a single drug treatment often results in drug resistance and side effects. This study aimed to investigate the combination effects of polycarpol, the phytochemical compound isolated from roots of Melodorum fruticosum, and current chemotherapeutic drugs (5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin) against human cervical cancer HeLa cells. The antiproliferative activities of single and combined drugs against HeLa cells were assessed by the MTT assay. The drug interaction effects were studied using the Chou-Talalay method in which the combination index (CI) and dose reduction index (DRI) values were determined. Cell viabilities (%)weredetermined to assess antiproliferative effects in single and combined drug treatments at 24, 48, and 72 h. The dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative effects of polycarpol were observed. Polycarpol demonstrated a remarkable cytotoxic effect (IC50 of 5.27?2.39 ?M) towards HeLa cells at 48 h, compared with 5-FU (16.49?3.04 ?M) and cisplatin (12.51?1.16 ?M). The drug interactions were evaluated at sub-toxic doses (IC20, IC30, and IC40) of 5-FU and cisplatin. The polycarpol drug combinations indicated synergistic effect with 5-FU (IC40) at 48 h exposure and additive effects with cisplatin (IC20 and IC30) at 24 h exposure. These findings highlight a potential of polycarpol from roots of M. fruticosum as an anticancer agent for treatments of cervical cancer both in single and combined drug treatments.

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* Corresponding author, E-mail: sthanaset@kku.ac.th

Received 6 Jun 2024, Accepted 14 Jan 2025