title: Gelam honey and ginger potentiate the anti cancer effect of 5-FU against HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells.
abstract: The development of chemopreventive approaches using a concoction of phytochemicals is potentially viable for combating many types of cancer including colon carcinogenesis. This study evaluated the anti-proliferative effects of ginger and Gelam honey and its efficacy in enhancing the anti-cancer effects of 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) against a colorectal cancer cell line, HCT 116. Cell viability was measured via MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay showing ginger inhibiting the growth of HCT 116 cells more potently (IC50 of 3mg/mL) in comparison to Gelam honey (IC50 of 75 mg/mL). Combined treatment of the two compounds (3mg/mL ginger+75 mg/mL Gelam honey) synergistically lowered the IC50 of Gelam honey to 22 mg/mL. Combination with 35 mg/mL Gelam honey markedly enhanced 5-FU inhibiting effects on the growth of HCT 116 cells. Subsequent analysis on the induction of cellular apoptosis suggested that individual treatment of ginger and Gelam honey produced higher apoptosis than 5-FU alone. In addition, treatment with the combination of two natural compounds increased the apoptotic rate of HCT 116 cells dose- dependently while treatment of either ginger or Gelam honey combined with 5-FU only showed modest changes. Combination index analysis showed the combination effect of both natural compounds to be synergistic in their inhibitory action against HCT 116 colon cancer cells (CI 0.96 < 1). In conclusion, combined treatment of Gelam honey and ginger extract could potentially enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-FU against colorectal cancer.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia E-mail : anum@medic.ukm.my, rahmatyasmin@yahoo.com.
authors: Luqman
authors: L
authors: Hakim
authors: Ekram
authors: E
authors: Alias
authors: Suzana
authors: S
authors: Makpol
authors: Wan Zurinah Wan
authors: WZ
authors: Ngah
authors: Nor Azian
authors: NA
authors: Morad
authors: Yasmin Anum Mohd
authors: YA
authors: Yusof
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001685:Biological Factors; D028321:Plant Preparations; D005472:Fluorouracil