Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Radix Astragalus on Glioblastoma Multiforme Cell Culture

Year 2024, , 6 - 10, 03.05.2024

Irmak Ferah Okkay , Ufuk Okkay

https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1470761

Abstract

Objective: Glioblastomas, recognized for their aggressive and invasive nature, present a daunting challenge for effective treatment. At present, available therapies are not entirely efficacious in combating this primary brain tumor. In light of this, the present study aims to explore novel therapeutic strategies by investigating the antitumorigenic potential of Radix astragalus against Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) cell-lines in vitro.
Methods: To accomplish this, the study employed a comprehensive research methodology that involved evaluating GBM cell viability and proliferation through MTT and LDH assays. Additionally, the study analyzed the oxidative burden of the GBM cell-line by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) values, in order to further investigate the effects of Radix astragalus extracts. These advanced techniques allowed us to gain an in-depth understanding of the intricate molecular interactions between GBM cells and the extracts, paving the way for the development of novel therapies that can effectively combat this highly malignant disease.
Results: The findings of this study demonstrate the remarkable antitumorigenic activity of Radix astragalus, as it significantly reduced cell viability in the GBM cell-line. Moreover, the extract inhibited the oxidative stress of GBM cells, which is a crucial factor that contributes to the development and progression of GBMs. Furthermore, the antioxidant assays revealed increased antioxidant activity in Radix astragalus-treated GBM cells compared to normal GBM cells. These findings offer a promising solution for treating GBMs, which are notoriously challenging to treat.
Conclusion: The remarkable antitumorigenic activity of Radix astragalus identified in this study presents a novel avenue for cancer treatment research, with potential applications in the development of efficacious treatments against malignant brain tumors. Further exploration of the potential of Radix astragalus is warranted to pave the way for innovative therapies that can effectively combat GBMs.

Keywords

GBM, Radix Astragalus, anticancer

References

• Birdal, O., Ferah Okkay, I., Okkay, U., Bayram, C., Mokthare, B., Ertugrul, M. S., Hacimuftuoglu, A., Aksakal, E., Koza, Y., Saygi, M., & Senocak, H. (2024). Protective effects of arbutin against doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage. Mol Biol Rep, 51(1), 532. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-024-09488-4 .
• Davis, M. E. (2016). Glioblastoma: Overview of Disease and Treatment. Clin J Oncol Nurs, 20(5 Suppl), S2-8. https://doi.org/10.1188/16.CJON.S1.2-8 .
• Ferah Okkay, I., Okkay, U., Cicek, B., Yilmaz, A., Yesilyurt, F., Mendil, A. S., & Hacimuftuoglu, A. (2021). Neuroprotective effect of bromelain in 6-hydroxydopamine induced in vitro model of Parkinson's disease. Mol Biol Rep, 48(12), 7711-7717. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06779-y .
• Fisher, J. P., & Adamson, D. C. (2021). Current FDA-Approved Therapies for High-Grade Malignant Gliomas. Biomedicines, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9030324 .
• Guo, Z., Lou, Y., Kong, M., Luo, Q., Liu, Z., & Wu, J. (2019). A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics on Astragali Radix: Implications for Astragali Radix as a Personalized Medicine. Int J Mol Sci, 20(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061463 .
• Le Rhun, E., Preusser, M., Roth, P., Reardon, D. A., van den Bent, M., Wen, P., Reifenberger, G., & Weller, M. (2019). Molecular targeted therapy of glioblastoma. Cancer Treat Rev, 80, 101896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctrv.2019.101896 .
• Li, S., Sun, Y., Huang, J., Wang, B., Gong, Y., Fang, Y., Liu, Y., Wang, S., Guo, Y., Wang, H., Xu, Z., & Guo, Y. (2020). Anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and its specific immunopotentiation: Status and prospect. J Ethnopharmacol, 258, 112797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112797 .
• Okkay, U., Ferah Okkay, I., Cicek, B., Aydin, I. C., Ertugrul, M. S., Bayram, C., Senyayla, S., Sezen, S., Mendil, A. S., Guven, L., & Hacimuftuoglu, A. (2021). Achillea millefolium alleviates testicular damage in paclitaxel-intoxicated rats via attenuation of testicular oxido-inflammatory stress and apoptotic responses. Andrologia, 53(5), e14028. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.14028 .
• Wang, M., Xing, S., Jia, J., Zeng, W., Lei, J., Qian, Y., Xiong, Z., Wang, X., Cao, L., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Jiang, Y., & Huang, Z. (2023). Angelicin impedes the progression of glioblastoma via inactivation of YAP signaling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother, 161, 114462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114462 .
• Wang, Y., Dong, B., Xue, W., Feng, Y., Yang, C., Liu, P., Cao, J., & Zhu, C. (2020). Anticancer Effect of Radix Astragali on Cholangiocarcinoma In Vitro and Its Mechanism via Network Pharmacology. Med Sci Monit, 26, e921162. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.921162 .
• Wei, J., Li, Y., Xu, B., & Yu, J. (2020). Astragalus polysaccharides reverse gefitinib resistance by inhibiting mesenchymal transformation in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Am J Transl Res, 12(5), 1640-1657. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32509166 .
• Wu, J., Yu, J., Wang, J., Zhang, C., Shang, K., Yao, X., & Cao, B. (2018). Astragalus polysaccharide enhanced antitumor effects of Apatinib in gastric cancer AGS cells by inhibiting AKT signalling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother, 100, 176-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.140 .
• Yang, Z., Zhu, S., Liu, S., Wang, X., Han, B., Zhang, B., Hu, X., Yao, R., Sun, C., & Zhu, C. (2018). Anticancer effect of fufang yiliu yin on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells. Am J Transl Res, 10(2), 491-500. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29511443 .
• Zhou, R., Chen, H., Chen, J., Chen, X., Wen, Y., & Xu, L. (2018). Extract from Astragalus membranaceus inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. BMC Complement Altern Med, 18(1), 83. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2148-2