Potential of Natural Antioxidants for Upregulating Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer Cells: A Cellular and Molecular Study

Introduction Cervical cancer is a major health concern worldwide, often linked to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy have significant side effects, prompting the exploration of natural alternatives. Natural antioxidants, known for their minimal side effects and accessibility, have shown potential in anticancer therapies. This study explored the anticancer effects of natural antioxidants, including geraniol (Ge), citronellol (Cit), and quercetin (Qu) on HeLa cervical cancer cells. We examined their cytotoxicity individually and in combinations, comparing their effectiveness to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin (Cis). Methodology This study utilized HeLa cells and assessed the cytotoxicity of Ge, Cit, and Qu at various concentrations (۱۵.۶۲۵ to ۱۰۰۰ µg/mL) over different time periods (۸, ۲۴, and ۴۸ hours) using the MTT assay. Western blot analysis was then performed to examine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, including caspase۳, Bax, Bcl۲, and p۵۳. The combination treatments included Ge+Qu, Ge+Cit, and Ge+Qu+Cit, both with and without Cis, to determine any synergistic effects. Results The MTT assay revealed that both Ge and Qu had high cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, particularly after ۴۸ hours, while Cit showed a lesser effect. The combination treatments significantly enhanced cytotoxicity, especially the Ge+Qu+Cit+Cis group, which exhibited the highest cell death. Western blot analysis indicated increased expression of caspase۳, Bax, and p۵۳ proteins in cells treated with the antioxidant combinations, highlighting the induction of apoptosis. The Ge+Qu+Cit+Cis group had the highest expression levels of these proteins, suggesting a strong synergistic effect. Discussion The findings suggested that natural antioxidants can effectively induce apoptosis in cervical cancer cells, with the combination of Ge, Qu, and Cit showing the most promise. These antioxidants work by upregulating key proteins involved in the apoptosis pathway, such as caspase۳ and p۵۳, and increasing the Bax/Bcl۲ ratio, which is crucial for cell death regulation. The addition of Cis further enhances these effects, indicating that natural antioxidants could serve as potent adjuvant therapies to traditional chemotherapy. Conclusion This study demonstrated that natural antioxidants, particularly when used in combination, have significant potential as anticancer agents by promoting apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. These findings supported further investigation into their use as main or supplementary treatments to reduce the side effects of conventional chemotherapy and improve therapeutic outcomes for cervical cancer patients. Future research should focus on in vivo studies to validate these results and explore the mechanisms further.

کلیدواژه ها:

Anticancer ، Antioxidant ، Apoptosis ، Cervical cancer