Synergistic effect of apigenin and curcumin on apoptosis, paraptosis and autophagy-related cell death in HeLa cells

Abstract

Background/Aim: We aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of apigenin and curcumin on the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagic cell death, as well as on paraptosis in HeLa cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Synergistic effects were measured using the Bliss independence model. qRT-PCR was used to study the expression of genes related to apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and cross-talk. GRP78/BiP immunostaining was used to identify endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Results: Treatment with a combination of apigenin and curcumin increased the expression levels of genes related to cell death in HeLa cells 1.29- to 27.6-fold. The combination of curcumin and apigenin showed a synergistic anti-tumor effect via cross-talk between processes leading to apoptosis and autophagic cell death, as well as ER stress-associated paraptosis. GRP78 expression was down-regulated, and massive cytoplasmic vacuolization was observed in HeLa cells. Conclusion: The combination of curcumin and apigenin is an effective potential therapeutic for cervical cancers.