The Effects of Ferulic Acid on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Ishikawa Cells

Yıl 2026, Cilt: 2 Sayı: 1, 10 - 18, 25.02.2026

Çiğdem Karaca , Esra Aslan

https://doi.org/10.65308/gjohbs.2026.002

https://izlik.org/JA32WT36NT

Öz

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of applying ferulic acid on cellular responses linked to cell proliferation and apoptosis in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. 

Method: The effects of ferulic acid on the viability of Ishikawa cells were evaluated using an MTT assay. The application dose was determined based on preliminary experiments conducted over a wide dose range. Cellular morphological changes were examined using an inverted microscope. Cell proliferation was assessed using Ki-67 immunocytochemical staining, while the apoptotic response was analysed through Bax and Bcl-2 immunoreactivity and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

Results: MTT analysis revealed that ferulic acid exhibited dose-dependent effects on cell viability, with a dose of 800 µM most effectively reducing viability to approximately 50%. Morphologically, ferulic acid -treated cells exhibited decreased cell density and disrupted monolayer integrity. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed decreased Ki-67 immunoreactivity and increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 immunoreactivity, resulting in a significant increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. 

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that ferulic acid exhibits cytotoxic effects in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells by suppressing proliferative activity and increasing apoptosis. These characteristics suggest that ferulic acid could be a candidate for supportive combination approaches to current endometrial cancer treatments. However, further experimental and clinical studies are required to evaluate this potential.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Apoptosis , Cell Proliferation , Ferulic Acid , Ishikawa Cells , Ki-67 , bax , bcl-2

Etik Beyan

This study was conducted using an in vitro cell culture model only, with no human- or animal-derived tissue, cells or clinical data being used. Therefore, approval from an ethics committee was not required.

Destekleyen Kurum

None

Proje Numarası

None

Teşekkür

We would like to thank MD Merve Bozkurt, for her contributions to the statistical analysis and evaluation of the findings in this study.

FERULİK ASİDİN ISHIKAWA HÜCRELERİNDE ÇOĞALMA VE APOPTOSİS ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİLERİ

https://izlik.org/JA32WT36NT

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, ferulik asit uygulamasının Ishikawa endometriyal kanser hücrelerinde hücre proliferasyonu ve apoptoz ile ilişkili hücresel yanıtlar üzerindeki etkilerinin araştırılması hedeflenmiştir. Yöntem: Ishikawa hücrelerinde ferulik asitin hücre canlılığı üzerindeki etkileri MTT analizi ile değerlendirilmiş ve geniş bir doz aralığında yapılan ön deneyler sonucunda uygulama dozu belirlenmiştir. Hücresel morfolojik değişiklikler invert mikroskop ile incelenmiştir. Hücre proliferasyonu Ki-67 immünositokimyasal boyaması ile değerlendirilirken, apoptotik yanıt Bax ve Bcl-2 immünoreaktiviteleri ile Bax/Bcl-2 oranı üzerinden analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: MTT analizi sonucunda ferulik asitin hücre canlılığı üzerinde doz-bağımlı etkiler gösterdiği ve hücre canlılığını %50 düzeyine en yakın şekilde düşüren dozun 800 µM olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ferulik asit uygulanan hücrelerde morfolojik olarak hücre yoğunluğunda azalma ve monolayer bütünlüğünde bozulma gözlenirken, immünositokimyasal analizde Ki-67 immünoreaktivitesinde azalma, Bax immünoreaktivitesinde artış, Bcl-2 immünoreaktivitesinde azalma ve Bax/Bcl-2 oranında da belirgin artma olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Bu bulgular, ferulik asitin Ishikawa endometriyal kanser hücrelerinde sitotoksik etki göstererek proliferatif aktiviteyi baskıladığını ve apoptozisi artırdığını ortaya koymaktadır. ferulik asitin bu özellikleri, endometrium kanserinde mevcut tedavilere destekleyici kombinasyon yaklaşımlarında potansiyel bir aday olabileceğini düşündürmektedir. Bununla birlikte, bu potansiyelin klinik açıdan değerlendirilmesi ileri deneysel ve klinik çalışmalarla desteklenmelidir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Apoptosis , Ferulik Asit , Hücre Proliferasyonu , Ishikawa Hücreleri , Ki-67 , bax , bcl-2

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma yalnızca in vitro hücre kültürü modeli kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiş olup, insan veya hayvan kaynaklı doku, hücre veya klinik veriler kullanılmamıştır. Bu nedenle, etik kurul onayı gerekmemiştir.

Destekleyen Kurum

yok

Proje Numarası

None

Teşekkür

Bu çalışmanın istatistiksel analizine ve bulgularının değerlendirilmesine katkılarından dolayı Uzm. Dr. Merve Bozkurt'a teşekkür ederiz.

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