Volume 35, Issue 249 (10-2025)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2025, 35(249): 20-31 |
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Faramarzi A, Pazhouhi M, Ali Mohammad A, Jalili C. Effects of Spirulina Extract on Proliferation, Apoptosis, Nitric Oxide Production, and Activation of the Fas/FasL–ASK1–p38 Pathway in Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2025; 35 (249) :20-31
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21887-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21887-en.html
Abstract: (21 Views)
Background and purpose: Chemotherapy is a standard treatment for cancer patients. However, the development of resistance significantly reduces the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs. According to previous studies, Spirulina exhibits potential anticancer properties. Given the need for new therapeutic approaches, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of Spirulina on cell proliferation, apoptosis, nitric oxide production, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes in breast and prostate cancer cells.
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, after preparing the hydroalcoholic extract of Spirulina, the effects of various concentrations of the extract on the viability of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and fibroblast cells were evaluated. The percentage of DNA fragmentation and nitric oxide production were measured. Real-time PCR was performed to analyze the expression of ASK1, p38, Fas, and FasL genes in RNA extracted from control and treated cells. The data were analyzed statistically.
Results: After 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of Spirulina, the viability of breast and prostate cancer cells decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. After 24 hours, the IC50 concentration of the Spirulina extract significantly increased apoptosis and nitric oxide production (P< 0.05) and caused a significant upregulation in the expression of ASK1, p38, Fas, and FasL genes in both cancer cell lines (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of Spirulina induces programmed cell death in breast and prostate cancer cells by activating the Fas/FasL–ASK1–p38 pathway and modulating nitric oxide production. Considering the critical role of drug resistance in reducing the effectiveness of conventional cancer therapies, Spirulina may be regarded as a natural compound with potentially low toxicity, suitable for the development of novel or complementary therapeutic strategies.
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, after preparing the hydroalcoholic extract of Spirulina, the effects of various concentrations of the extract on the viability of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and fibroblast cells were evaluated. The percentage of DNA fragmentation and nitric oxide production were measured. Real-time PCR was performed to analyze the expression of ASK1, p38, Fas, and FasL genes in RNA extracted from control and treated cells. The data were analyzed statistically.
Results: After 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of Spirulina, the viability of breast and prostate cancer cells decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. After 24 hours, the IC50 concentration of the Spirulina extract significantly increased apoptosis and nitric oxide production (P< 0.05) and caused a significant upregulation in the expression of ASK1, p38, Fas, and FasL genes in both cancer cell lines (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of Spirulina induces programmed cell death in breast and prostate cancer cells by activating the Fas/FasL–ASK1–p38 pathway and modulating nitric oxide production. Considering the critical role of drug resistance in reducing the effectiveness of conventional cancer therapies, Spirulina may be regarded as a natural compound with potentially low toxicity, suitable for the development of novel or complementary therapeutic strategies.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
general practitioner
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