Effect of Electromagnetic Field and Allicin as Natural Extract on Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2)
Cancer is one of the major public burdens worldwide. It is a multicellular disease that can arise from all cell type. In the recent decades, the number of cancer related showed a clear elevation, in turn creating huge health and economic problems. Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), from extremely-low frequency to radiofrequency, have been shown to cause biological effects even at low intensity. Some of these effects may be applied for medical treatments. Exposure to PEMFs in the 0-300Hz range is a therapeutic tool extensively used for the treatment of several pathologies. Allicin is an organic sulfur compound from the bulbs of Allium sativum, which is also present in onions and other Allianceae plants. Allicin has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and may inhibit the growth of or kill various bacteria, fungi and viruses.
A previous epidemiological study demonstrated the antitumor activity of allicin has been shown to directly kill tumor cells, inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Aim of Study: This study investigates the anticancer activity of EMF, allicin and combination between them in the treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). Material and Methods: Human Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) ATCC®HB-8065 cell lines was supplied from Re-search and Development Sector, The Holding Company for production of Vaccines, Sera and Drugs (VACSERA), Cairo, Egypt. Electromagnetic fields exposure, Allicin 95% was kindly supplied from the national organization for drug control and research (NODCAR). Cytotoxicity, Flowcytometry and Quantitative Real-Time RT PCR (q RT-PCR) anticancer activity of EMF, EMF-Allicin and Allicin compared to cisplatin was investigated through the expression of BAX, P53 and BCL2 genes using real-time RT-PCR. Results: Data revealed that cytotoxicity was concentration and cell type-dependent, as lower concentration enhanced the higher viability profile, the concentration of allicin of 2µg/ml, cell viability reached 100% on both of vero cells and HepG2 cells. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) for Vero cells, and HepG2 was 9.47µg/ml and 69.4µg/m respectively. The treatment with both EMF-Allicin is more efficient than treatment with EMF or Allicin separately. In the present study there was a significant up regulation of both pro-apoptotic genes (Bax- P53) accompanied by significant down regulation of anti-apoptotic gene (BCL-2) relative to exposure to EMF + Allicin. Conclusion: EMF can be used in therapy as its non-invasive technique used for the treatment of several pathologies and cancer. Combination between EMF + Allicin can induce apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation in HepG2 cell line.
Ph.D., MAHA & AZIZ, M.Sc. (2020). Effect of Electromagnetic Field and Allicin as Natural Extract on Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2). The Medical Journal of Cairo University. 88. 815-825. 10.21608/mjcu.2020.104890.