The Use of ßElemene to Enhance Radio Sensitization of A375 Human Melanoma Cells

Objective Melanoma is the most malignant and severe type of skin cancer. It is a tumor with a high risk of metastasis and resistant to conventional treatment methods (surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy). βelemene is the most active constituent of Curcuma wenyujin which is a noncytotoxic antitumor drug, proved to be effective in different types of cancers. The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of βelemene in combination with radiotherapy on A375 human melanoma. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, human melanoma cells were grown in the monolayer culture model. The procedure of the treatment was performed by the addition of different concentrations of βelemene to the cells. Then, the cells were exposed to 2 and 4 Gy Xray in different incubation times (24, 48, and 72 hours). The MTT assay was used for the determination of the cell viability. To study the rate of apoptosis response to treatments, the Annexin V/PI assay was carried out. Results The results of the MTT assay showed βelemene reduced the cell proliferation in dose and timedependent manners in cells exposed to radiation. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that βelemene was effective in the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, the combination treatment with radiation remarkably decreased the cells proliferation ability and also enhanced apoptosis. For example, cell viability in a group exposed to 40 µg/ml of βelemene was 80%, but combination treatment with 6 MV X beam at a dose of 2 Gy reduced the viability to 61%. ConclusionOur results showed that βelemene reduced the proliferation of human melanoma cancer cell through apoptosis. Also, the results demonstrated that the radio sensitivity of A375 cell line was significantly enhanced by βelemene. The findings of this study indicated the efficiency of βelemene in treating melanoma cells and the necessity for further research in this field.