The Synergistic and Anticancer Potential of Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Ethanol Extract as an Adjuvant with Doxorubicin in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Line
Elzayat EM, Elsamahy GE, Mansour GH, El-Sherif AA, Hassan N
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP · 5 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- In vitro/mechanistic study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- Cells or lab samples
- Main outcome
- Mechanisms only
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2025-03-01 · Asian Pac J Cancer Prev · vol. 26 · issue 3 · pp. 757–766
- Publisher
- West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention
- Cited
- 8 citations · more than 98% of similar papers · 9.0× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 2 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Andrographolide Research and Applications · Cell death mechanisms and regulation
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, MCF-7, Doxorubicin, Traditional medicine, Adjuvant, Cancer cell lines, Breast cancer, Chemistry, Cell culture, Pharmacology, Ethanol, Cancer, Medicine, Biology, Human breast, Cancer cell, Oncology, Biochemistry, Internal medicine, Chemotherapy, Pathology
- MeSH
- humans, withania, breast neoplasms, ethanol, doxorubicin, plant extracts, antineoplastic agents, chemotherapy, adjuvant, apoptosis, cell proliferation, drug synergism, mcf-7 cells
5 authors
From EG
- Emad M. ElzayatCairo University
- Ghada E ElsamahyCairo University
- Ghada H. MansourCairo University
- Ahmed Abdou El-SherifCairo University
- Nourhan HassanCairo University
Abstract
Background
Recent approaches in breast cancer treatment involve exploring natural extracts either as substitutes for traditional chemotherapeutic agents or as adjuvants to enhance their effectiveness. In this context, ethanolic extracts from Withania Somnifera (WS) and Arctium Lappa (AL) have gained attention for their potential anticancer properties across various cancer types.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the in vitro anticancer efficacy of ethanolic extracts from both WS and AL in the MCF7 breast cancer cell line.
Methods
The study encompassed assessments of total antioxidant activity, total flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and cytotoxicity for each extract. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of these extracts involved Real-time PCR and flow cytometry to analyze apoptotic markers and cell cycle dynamics, respectively.
Results
Results indicated that the WS ethanolic extract exhibited better efficacy, especially in terms of IC50. To explore its potential as an adjuvant with doxorubicin (DOX) in breast cancer therapy, 16 non-constant combination ratios were tested. The combination of 1/2 WS to 1/4 DOX, with a combination index (CI) of -0.229 was selected for further downstream molecular analysis. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant upregulation (p < 0.05) of P53, Cas3, Cas7, and Bax. Flow cytometric analysis further highlighted cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Additionally, the study explored the synergistic inhibitory effects of WS and DOX on key enzymes in the glycolytic pathway, namely, pyruvate kinase and aldolase.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of WS demonstrated a synergistic effect as an adjuvant with DOX, showing promise as a combination therapy for breast cancer.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC).
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