Antitumor effect of thymoquinone combined with resveratrol on mice transplanted with breast cancer

摘要

Objective:To test the anticancer potential activity of the combination of thymoquinone (TQ) and resveratrol (RES) against breast cancer in mice.Methods: The antiproliferative activity of TQ, RES and their combination was assessed against three breast cancer cell lines and one normal cells using MTT assay. The combination index was calculated using isobolographic method. Balb/C mice were inoculated with EMT6/P cells andin vivo antitumor activity was evaluated.Results:The combination therapy caused significant decrease in tumor size with a percentage cure of 60%. The combination therapy induced geographic necrosis, enhanced apoptosis, and decreased VEGF expression. Serum levels of IFN-ν were elevated in mice treated with combination therapy with no liver and kidney toxicity.Conclusions:The combination of TQ and RES against breast cancer in mice can work synergistically. The anticancer effect of this combination is mediated by apoptosis induction, angiogenesis inhibition and immune modulation.