Differential Control of Growth, Apoptotic Activity, and Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells by Extracts Derived from Medicinal HerbsZingiber officinale

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the antiproliferative potentiality of an extract derived from the medicinal plant ginger (Zingiber officinale) on growth of breast cancer cells. Ginger treatment suppressed the proliferation and colony formation in breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Meanwhile, it did not significantly affect viability of nontumorigenic normal mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A). Treatment of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with ginger resulted in sequences of events marked by apoptosis, accompanied by loss of cell viability, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase 3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. At the molecular level, the apoptotic cell death mediated by ginger could be attributed in part to upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 proteins. Ginger treatment downregulated expression of prosurvival genes, such as NF-κB, Bcl-X, Mcl-1, and Survivin, and cell cycle-regulating proteins, including cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (CDK-4). On the other hand, it increased expression of CDK inhibitor, p21. It also inhibited the expression of the two prominent molecular targets of cancer, c-Myc and the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). These findings suggested that the ginger may be a promising candidate for the treatment of breast carcinomas.

Protective and therapeutic potential of ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract and [6]‐gingerol in cancer: A comprehensive review

“…Moreover, ginger‐dependent growth inhibitory mechanisms may involve, at least in part, the downregulation of major cell molecules, including NF‐κB, Bcl‐X, Mcl‐1, survivin, cyclin D1, CDK‐4, proto‐oncogene proteins (c‐Myc), hTERT, and upregulation of IκBα and p21. As the inhibition of c‐Myc and hTERT is a specific target in cancer therapy, EG might be a good candidate as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent for breast cancer (Elkady et al, ).…”

Pharmacologically active flavonoids from the anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial extracts of Cassia angustifolia Vahl

“…Natural therapies, such as the use of plant-derived products in cancer treatment, may reduce adverse side effects. There are many natural products including phytochemicals and dietary compounds from vegetables, plants, spices and herbs that have been used for the treatment of cancer throughout history due to their safety, low toxicity, and general availability [15]. …”

Inhibitory Effect of Herbal Remedy PERVIVO and Anti-Inflammatory Drug Sulindac on L-1 Sarcoma Tumor Growth and Tumor Angiogenesis in Balb/c Mice

“…The second ginger component, 6-shogaol, induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and exhibited anti-tumor activity in vivo through endoplasmic reticulum stress [7]. Ginger treatment suppressed the proliferation and colony formation in breast cancer cell lines [8]. Chakraborty et al observed the in vitro effect of 6-gingerol on HeLa cells.…”