Pomegranate seed oil combined with low-frequency electromagnetic field enhances apoptosis in HT29 colon cancer cells via modulating caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, and Bcl-2 expression.

Abstract

Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers globally, characterized by the abnormal growth of cells in the intestines. Numerous studies have explored the effects of pomegranate-derived products, such as pomegranate seed oil (PSO), as anti-proliferative, anti-invasive, and pro-apoptotic agents against various cancer cell lines. Additionally, previous research has highlighted the anti-cancer properties of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (LF-EMF). In the present study, we investigated the combined effects of these two factors on the expression of the Caspase 3, Caspase 9, BAX, and Bcl2 genes. Human colon cancer cells of the HT29 line were sourced from the Pasteur Institute of Iran cell bank and maintained in a complete culture medium. The cells were categorized into four groups: control, PSO, EMF, and PSO+EMF. To assess cell viability and the type of cell death, MTT and Annexin V-FITC assays were employed. Changes in the expression levels of Caspase 3, Caspase 9, BAX, and Bcl2 were analyzed using Real-Time PCR. The results from the MTT and Annexin V-FITC assays indicated that both PSO and EMF reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis in colon cancer cells. The Real-Time PCR results showed an upregulation of Caspase 3, Caspase 9, and BAX genes, along with a downregulation of Bcl2 expression in the treatment groups compared to the control group. This study demonstrated that the combination of PSO and EMF enhances apoptotic gene expression, thereby diminishing the proliferation and viability of cancer cells. Based on these findings, both PSO and LF-EMF exhibit cytotoxic effects on colon cancer cells, suggesting their potential as candidates for future research in the field of colon cancer.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In HT29 colon cancer cells, both pomegranate seed oil and low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis compared with control. Treatment groups showed increased Caspase 3, Caspase 9, and BAX expression and decreased Bcl2 expression, and the combined PSO+EMF condition enhanced apoptotic gene expression.

Outcomes measured

• Cell viability
• Apoptosis
• Annexin V-FITC assay results
• Caspase 3 gene expression
• Caspase 9 gene expression
• BAX gene expression
• Bcl2 gene expression

Limitations

• In vitro cell-line study
• No exposure frequency reported in the abstract
• No exposure duration reported in the abstract
• Sample size not reported in the abstract
• Combined intervention with pomegranate seed oil and EMF makes EMF-specific effects less isolated

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "HT29 human colon cancer cell line",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cell viability",
        "Apoptosis",
        "Annexin V-FITC assay results",
        "Caspase 3 gene expression",
        "Caspase 9 gene expression",
        "BAX gene expression",
        "Bcl2 gene expression"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In HT29 colon cancer cells, both pomegranate seed oil and low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis compared with control. Treatment groups showed increased Caspase 3, Caspase 9, and BAX expression and decreased Bcl2 expression, and the combined PSO+EMF condition enhanced apoptotic gene expression.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro cell-line study",
        "No exposure frequency reported in the abstract",
        "No exposure duration reported in the abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
        "Combined intervention with pomegranate seed oil and EMF makes EMF-specific effects less isolated"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "very_low",
    "confidence": 0.92000000000000003996802888650563545525074005126953125,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "low-frequency electromagnetic field",
        "LF-EMF",
        "pomegranate seed oil",
        "HT29",
        "colon cancer",
        "apoptosis",
        "caspase-3",
        "caspase-9",
        "BAX",
        "Bcl2",
        "cell viability",
        "in vitro"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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