Induction of apoptosis in the presence of natural polyphenols and expression profile of K-Ras and Akt1 in breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231

Abstract

One of the vital process by which cellular homeostasis is maintained is Apoptosis. In normal cells this program is well balanced. But any alteration in genetic and epigenetic process leads to loss of key properties like proliferation, differentiation, invasion, adhesion, and hence opened the gateway for complex set of disease known as cancer. Moreover, RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling cascade is the most frequently mutated pathway in human cancer. Oncogenic mutations in these cascade leads to deregulation of several effecter pathways that control cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis as well migration, and thus promote malignant transformation. As all natural polyphenols have anti- cancer property to some extent, we aimed at investigating the effect of natural polyphenols like curcumin and EGCG in combination with other conventional chemotherapeutic agents which are used a lot in epigenetic targeted therapies, potentially working synergistically in increasing the therapeutic effect of drugs in combat against cancer. So the present study aims at deciphering the role of curcumin and EGCG on the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation and change in expression level of oncogenes K-Ras and Akt1 in breast cancer cell lines. A brief study can help to pile valuable information for developing better therapeutic interventions against cancer.