Erk phosphorylation reduces the thymoquinone toxicity in human hepatocarcinoma.
Environ Toxicol
; 36(10): 1990-1998, 2021 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34173702
Although enormous achievements have been made in targeted molecular therapies against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the treatments can only prolong the life of patients with extrahepatic metastases. We evaluated thymoquinone (TQ), a compound from Nigella sativa Linn., for its anti-cancer effect on SK-Hep1 cells and HCC-xenograft nude mice. TQ effectively triggered cell death and activated p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk) pathways up to 24 h after treatment in cells. TQ-induced cell death was reversed by p38 inhibitor; however, it was enhanced by si-Erk. The caspase3 activation and TUNEL assay revealed a stronger toxic effect upon co-treatment with TQ and si-Erk. Our study suggested that phosphorylation of p38 in SK-Hep1 cells constituted the major factor leading to cell apoptosis, whereas phosphorylation of Erk led to drug resistance. Furthermore, TQ therapeutic effect was improved upon Erk inhibition in HCC-xenograft nude mice. TQ could present excellent anti-HCC potential under suitable p-Erk inhibiting conditions.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Carcinoma Hepatocelular
/
Neoplasias Hepáticas
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Environ Toxicol
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos