title: Radiosensitization in human breast carcinoma cells by thymoquinone: role of cell cycle and apoptosis.
abstract: TQ (thymoquinone), the bioactive constituent of black seed (Nigella sativa), has been shown to inhibit the growth of various human cancers both in vitro and in vivo. This study reports the radiosensitizing effect of TQ on human breast carcinoma cells (MCF7 and T47D). TQ in combination with single dose of ionizing radiation (2.5 Gy) was found to exert supra-additive cytotoxic effects on both the carcinomas as measured by cell proliferation and colony-formation assays. Annexin V binding and FACS analysis revealed the role of enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle modulation in the mechanism of TQ-mediated radiosensitization, thus supporting TQ as an adjuvant for preclinical testing in cancer chemo-radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Bombay College of Pharmacy, Mumbai University, India.
authors.forename: Reelma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Velho-Pereira
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Badri N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: Aarti G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Jagtap
authors.forename: Kaushala P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Mishra
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D031881:Nigella sativa / Q000737:chemistry; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D016227:Benzoquinones; C003466:thymoquinone