Resveratrol Induces Apoptosis and Attenuates Proliferation of MCF-7 Cells in Combination with Radiation and Hyperthermia

Abstract

Aim: In the current in vitro study, we tried to examine the possible role of resveratrol as a sensitizer in combination with radiotherapy or hyperthermia. Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy for women and one of the most common worldwide. It has been suggested that using non-invasive radiotherapy alone cannot eliminate cancer cells. Hyperthermia which is an adjuvant modality induces cancer cell death mainly through apoptosis and necrosis. However, cancer cells can also develop resistance to this modality. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine possible potentiation of apoptosis when MCF-7 cells treated with resveratrol before hyperthermia or radiotherapy. Method: MCF-7 cancer cells were treated with different doses of resveratrol to achieve IC50%. Afterwards, cells treated with the achieved concentration of resveratrol were exposed to radiation or hyperthermia. Proliferation, apoptosis and the expression of pro-apoptotic genes were evaluated using flow cytometry, MTT assay and real-time PCR. Results for each combination therapy were compared to radiotherapy or hyperthermia without resveratrol. Results: Both irradiation or hyperthermia could reduce viability of MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the regulation of Bax and caspase genes increased, while Bcl-2 gene expression reduced. Resveratrol potentiated the effects of radiation and hyperthermia on MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that resveratrol is able to induce the regulation of pro-apoptotic genes and attenuate the viability of MCF-7 cells. This may indicate the sensitizing effect of resveratrol in combination with both radiotherapy and hyperthermia.

Boosting immune system against cancer by resveratrol

“…Resveratrol is one of the natural agents that have shown low toxicity to normal tissues and also have several properties that make it an anticancer agent. In addition to the preventive effects of resveratrol, several studies have confirmed that resveratrol can kill cancer cells via induction of various mechanisms (Amini et al, 2020). Resveratrol has been shown to induce the release of IL‐2, IL‐4, and IFN‐γ by immune cells, which potentiate the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and also NK cells.…”

Comparison of the Effects of Resveratrol and Its Derivatives on the Radiation Response of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

“…Our results indicate that among the studied stilbene derivatives, resveratrol has the greatest ability to strengthen the effect of IR in the MCF-7 cell line. Recently published studies by Amini et al also showed that resveratrol potentiated the effects of radiation on MCF-7 cells [33].…”

NF‐κB as a regulator of cancer metastasis and therapy response: A focus on epithelial–mesenchymal transition

“…There are some reasons for selecting plant derived‐natural products that can be their low side effects, high safety profile, multitargeting capacity, and lack of drug resistance in tumor cells (Ahn, Sethi, & Aggarwal, 2008; F. Halim et al, 2019; Kashyap et al, 2021; Li, Shanmugam et al, 2015). Furthermore, phytochemicals are affordable and developing countries can utilize them in the treatment of cancer patients (Amini et al, 2021; Ashrafizadeh, Rafiei et al, 2021; Ashrafizadeh, Zarrabi, Orouei, Saberifar et al, 2021; Deldar Abad Paskeh, Asadi et al, 2021; Hashemi et al, 2021; Hussain et al, 2021; Samec et al, 2021). This section focuses on recent studies using antitumor agents in modulating NF‐κB/EMT axis.…”