Cytotoxic effects and radiosensitizing potential of Artemisia kopetdaghensis extract in human cervical cancel HeLa cells

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in women worldwide; Radiotherapy has a major role in cervical cancer treatment. Anti-cancer effects of other species of Artemisia have been shown in some human cancer cells. Objective: To determine the cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effects of Artemisia kopetdaghensis extract on cervical cancer HeLa cells. Methods: Different concentrations of Artemisia kopetdaghensis extract (ART) (25-250µg/ml) were examined on HeLa cell line. Cell cytotoxicity of the extract and combination of extract plus 2Gy radiation was evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours via MTT assay. ART induced apoptosis was estimated with flow cytometry after 24h. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and then Bonferroni post hoc test were applied for statistical analysis. Prism (v.6) was used for all statistical analyses. Results: Artemisia kopetdaghensis decreased HeLa cells viability according to its concentration and timing of treatment. Comparing with the control group, a sub-G1 peak in the flow cytometry histogram of A. kopetdaghensis treated cells was shown, demonstrating that apoptosis was involved in A. kopetdaghensis cytotoxicity. Also, A. kopetdaghensis extract combined with irradiation, induced an additive cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells. Conclusion: Artemisia kopetdaghensis extract might be considered as a radiosensitizer in cervical cancer treatment potentially, and can be a good candidate for future studies.