Apoptotic Effect Of Neferine On Cervical Cancer Cells (HeLa)

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in worldwide and the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers. Neferine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the seed embryo of Nelumbo Nucifera. Studies have shown that Neferine has anticancer effects on a variety of human cancer cells. Neferine can induce apoptosis in cancer cells by various mechanisms. In this article; we aimed to show the apoptotic effects of neferin, a natural compound on HeLa cells. METHODS: In this experimental study, 1 human cervical cancer cell line and 1 human embryonic kidney cell line as a control group were used. Cell cultures were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. 3-4,5-dimethyl-thiazolyl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test was performed to determine the maximal inhibition concentration dose of neferin. Expression levels of apoptotic genes and antiapoptotic genes were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The study was repeated in triplicate. RESULTS: The maximal inhibition concentration dose at which neferin inhibited the viability of human cervical cancer cells was determined as 20 micromol. Also, Neferin increased the level of apoptotic genes while decreasing the level of antiapoptotic genes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Neferin induced apoptosis by activating the expression of apoptotic genes on human cervical cancer cells.