Synergistic Effect of Trichostatin a and Thymoquinone in Inducing Anticancer Activity in Breast Cancer

Abstract

The field of epigenetic has witnessed a recent breakthrough in our information and stands at the forefront of biomedical research. Epigenetic alterations may result in changes in chromatin structure leading to a deregulation of gene expression associated with various diseases. Cancer has been deliberated to be brought about by a wide variety of genetic and genomic alterations. However, cancer development is not limited to the genetic changes, but may also include epigenetic changes. Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the principal reason of cancer death in women. In this context, anticancer drug is effective in reversing the epigenetic modifications. Although, trichostatin A (TSA) is an excellent inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, it is highly toxic in nature. In contrast, Thymoquinone (TQ), an active component of Nigella sativa, being phytochemical is potentially non-toxic exhibiting anti-cancer property. The principle of this study was to examine the conjoint effect of TSA and TQ in inducing anticancer activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Our experiments clearly demonstrate that TSA and TQ synergistically exert more anti-cancer effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells than TSA and TQ in isolation. It is also observed that the combination of both TSA and TQ can more efficiently rejuvenate the expression of tumor suppressor genes (p21 and Maspin). Further investigation in this direction might open a new therapeutic window for the treatment of breast cancer.