TY - JOUR T1 - Synergistic Apoptotic Effects of Cisplatin and Arbutin in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells TT - Synergistic Apoptotic Effects of Cisplatin and Arbutin in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells AU - Kılıç, Mahmut Alp AU - Bozkurt Girit, Özlem AU - Kolaç, Umut Kerem AU - Goker Bagca, Bakiye PY - 2025 DA - May Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.30934/kusbed.1678429 JF - Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi JO - KOU Sag Bil Derg PB - Kocaeli Üniversitesi WT - DergiPark SN - 2149-8571 SP - 70 EP - 77 VL - 11 IS - 2 LA - en AB - Objective: Cisplatin is a key component in cancer treatment, but its effectiveness can be limited by dose related toxicities. Combining it with natural compounds such as arbutin offers a promising approach to improve treatment outcomes while reducing side effects. This study aimed to explore the combined apoptotic effects of arbutin and cisplatin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, specifically focusing on mitochondrial gene expression.Methods: MCF-7 cells were treated for 48 hours with arbutin, cisplatin, or a combination of both at fixed ratios. Cytotoxicity and synergy were evaluated using the Chou-Talalay median-effect method. Nuclear morphology, indicative of apoptosis, was assessed through Hoechst 33342 staining. Gene expression analysis targeted mitochondrial dynamics (DRP1, Fis1, MFN1, MFN2), oxidative stress markers (SOD2, GPx), apoptosis indicators (Bcl2), autophagy (Beclin1), and prostaglandin pathways (PGF2α, PGF2β), with results normalized to β-actin.Results: The combination therapy significantly enhanced cytotoxicity compared to individual treatments (Combination Index KW - Cisplatin KW - Arbutin KW - MCF-7 KW - Apoptosis KW - Mitochondria N2 - Objective: Cisplatin is a key component in cancer treatment, but its effectiveness can be limited by dose related toxicities. Combining it with natural compounds such as arbutin offers a promising approach to improve treatment outcomes while reducing side effects. This study aimed to explore the combined apoptotic effects of arbutin and cisplatin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, specifically focusing on mitochondrial gene expression.Methods: MCF-7 cells were treated for 48 hours with arbutin, cisplatin, or a combination of both at fixed ratios. Cytotoxicity and synergy were evaluated using the Chou-Talalay median-effect method. Nuclear morphology, indicative of apoptosis, was assessed through Hoechst 33342 staining. Gene expression analysis targeted mitochondrial dynamics (DRP1, Fis1, MFN1, MFN2), oxidative stress markers (SOD2, GPx), apoptosis indicators (Bcl2), autophagy (Beclin1), and prostaglandin pathways (PGF2α, PGF2β), with results normalized to β-actin.Results: The combination therapy significantly enhanced cytotoxicity compared to individual treatments (Combination Index CR - Karasawa T, Steyger PS. An integrated view of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Toxicol Lett. 2015;237(3):219–227. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.06.012 CR - Galluzzi L, Senovilla L, Vitale I, et al. Molecular mechanisms of cisplatin resistance. Oncogene. 2012;31(15):1869–1883. doi:10.1038/onc.2011.384 CR - Yedjou CG, Izevbigie EB, Tchounwou PB. 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J Biol Chem. 1998;273(16):9357-9360. doi:10.1074/jbc.273.16.935 UR - https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1678429 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4783298 ER -