Gemcitabine, chokeberries synergistic in pancreatic cancer model
1. Chokeberry extract alone was found to possess pro-apoptotic effects in a cancer cell line model.
2. Compared to gemcitabine or chokeberry extract alone, the combination induced greater cytotoxicity in a human pancreatic cancer cell line.
Evidence Rating Level: 3 (Average)
Study Rundown: Pancreatic cancer carries a poor prognosis despite surgical resection, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. To improve survival rates, studies have looked at combining cytotoxic medications, such as gemcitabine, with dietary chemopreventative agents, such as flavonoids from fruits and vegetables. In particular, chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) are thought to possess anticancer properties, owing to their polyphenol content. This study investigated whether chokeberry extract induced apoptosis and augmented the chemotherapeutic effect of gemcitabine in a human pancreatic cancer cell line. Compared to cells treated with gemcitabine or chokeberry alone, a combination of chokeberry and gemcitabine demonstrated statistically significant greater cytotoxic effect. Further studies showed the supplementary effect was likely due to chokeberry extract causing the pancreatic cancer cells to undergo apoptosis.
A strength of this study was the use of a cell line specific to human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Additionally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used as controls to ensure the effect was specific to cancerous cells. Apoptosis of cells was also detected at the cellular level by using an assay which detected DNA fragmentation. A limitation is that results were obtained only from cell lines and the lack of data from clinic trials limits the study’s generalizability. Overall, this study provides new evidence in support for possible Aronia melanocarpa extract for augmentation of cancer therapy and provides hope for a new treatment for an often treatment resistant cancer.
Click to read the study in the Journal of Clinical Pathology
Relevant Reading: Treatment for pancreatic cancer: current therapy and continued progress
In-Depth [cell study]: This study utilized several assays in order to determine whether chokeberry extract, from Aronia melanocarpa, could augment the cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine in AsPC-1, a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line. In an MTT residual viable biomass assay, gemcitabine alone induced cytotoxicity, but the IC50 was further decreased with the combination of chokeberry and gemcitabine (p<0.01). The combination reduced cell viability by up to 50% and became more cytotoxic at higher concentrations, suggesting a supra-additive or synergistic effect. Flow cytometry was performed to confirm results, which demonstrated a non-statistically significant decrease in cell viability with increasing concentrations (overall interactive p value for ANOVA= 0.129). Finally, colorimetric and fluorometric assays revealed chokeberry extract to possess pro-apoptotic activity in a dose-dependent manner.
More from this author: Higher sodium intake linked to more aggressive multiple sclerosis, Clarithromycin linked with increased risk of cardiac death, Tranexamic acid during joint surgery may reduce need for blood transfusions, Smoking bans in prisons associated with reduced prisoner mortality, Over half of Viagra in Netherland’s sewage unaccounted for by legal dispensing
Image: PD
©2012-2014 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. Disclaimer: We present factual information directly from peer reviewed medical journals. No post should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors, editors, staff or by 2minutemedicine.com. PLEASE SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA IF YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT.
