Therapeutic Effect of Supercritical CO₂ Extracts of Curcuma Species with Cancer Drugs in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines

Abstract

Synergistic effect of supercritical CO2 extracts of Curcuma species with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs was investigated in human alveolar (SJRH30) and embryonal (RD) rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. The Curcuma amada (mango ginger) (CA) extract showed the highest levels of cytotoxicity with inhibitory concentration IC50 values of 7.133 µg/ml and 7.501 µg/ml for SJRH30 and RD cell lines, respectively, as compared with Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Curcuma xanthorrhiza (Javanese turmeric) extracts. CA showed synergistic cytotoxic effects with vinblastine (VBL) and cyclophosphamide (CP) as indicated by the combination index values of <1 for VBL + CA, CP + CA, and VBL + CP + CA combinations in both embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas. When lower doses of CA (0.1-0.2 µg/ml) were combined with cancer drugs like CP and VBL, caspase-3 activity increased significantly compared with individual agents and correlated with the percentage of apoptotic cells. CA in combination with VBL and CP induced a higher percentage of apoptosis than single agents in both cell lines. CA also modulated the expression of genes associated with intrinsic pathway of apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, and p53) and also inhibited the expression of genes associated with inflammation such as COX-2 and NF-κB. Xenograft studies with SJRH30 tumors in nude mice showed that CA treatment inhibited tumor growth rate with and without VBL and increased the survival rate significantly. These results suggest that CA can be evaluated further as an adjuvant with cancer drugs for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma patients. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Essential Oils of Curcuma Species

“…The extract was highly cytotoxic to human alveolar (SJRH30) and embryonal (RD) rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, with IC 50 values of 7.13 µg/mL and 7.50 µg/mL, respectively. It also showed synergistic cytotoxic effects with vinblastine and cyclophosphamide via inducing a higher percentage of apoptosis than individual agents [ 225 ]. C. amada EO showed strong antioxidant activity as evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power and nitric oxide scavenging assay [ 229 ].…”

Natural products: a hope for glioblastoma patients

“…Compellingly, tumerones from TF were also shown to cross the BBB [ 206 ]. The extract from the other curcuma species, Curcuma amada ( CA) also significantly reduced the viability of human embryonal (RD) and alveolar (SJRH30) rhabdomyosarcoma cells [ 207 ]. The underlying anti-tumor mechanism showed that CA treatment attenuates AKT signaling, and downregulates anti-apoptotic genes in U87 cells [ 208 ].…”

Stellenwert von Ayurveda und Yoga in der Onkologie

“…Haridra (Curcuma longa) ▄ zytotoxisch auf verschiedene Arten von Krebszellen [12,13] ▄ verstärkt Wirkung der Chemotherapie [9, 10] ▄ beugt Kolonkarzinom vor [14], schützt die Leber [15] Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) ▄ adaptogen [11] ▄ Krebs vorbeugend und tumortherapeutisch [16] Citraka (Plumbago zeylanica) ▄ hemmt das Wachstum bei verschiedenen Tumorzellen [17,18] Khadira (Acacia catechu) ▄ induziert Apoptose von Brustkrebszellen [19] Kancanara (Bauhinia variegata) ▄ vermindert Tumorwachstum [20], schützt die Leber [21] Im Bereich der palliativen Therapie erleben wir in der Praxis die ayurvedischen Ansätze immer wieder als stützend, kräftigend und tröstlich.…”