The Combination of Artesunate and Paclitaxel in 1:1 Ratio Induces Apoptosis and Morphology Change on Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
- 1 Department of Natural Sciences, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
- 2 Department of Health & Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
- 3 Department of Health & Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
- 4 Department of Natural Sciences, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
- 5 Department of Health & Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
- 6 Department of Natural Sciences, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
Abstract
The combination of Artesunate (ART) and Paclitaxel (PTX) in two human prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines (PC-3 and LNCaP) was evaluated to investigate the effects on proliferation, apoptosis and morphological changes. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values that were observed by ART and PTX on both LNCaP and PC-3 cell lines at 72-and 120-hour exposure were used to assess these effects. Early and late apoptosis was detected in Annexin V-FITC/PI assay revealed a shift in population of cells towards early and mid-apoptosis with ART + PTX than with ART and PTX individually. More effects were observed on LNCaP cell lines at both 72-hour and 120-hour exposure. The results for the Caspase 3/7 activity assay showed shift of viable population in all induced samples compared to control. Morphological changes occurred in both cell lines; this was validated in qualitative assessment when examined under the inverted microscope. These findings indicated that ART + PTX suppressed PCa cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
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