Combined anticancer effects of capsaicin and sodium selenite on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in MDA-MB-231 and L929 cell lines


Pandır D., Köse B.

INDIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY, ss.473-482, 2026 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.56042/ijeb.v64i06.17582
  • Dergi Adı: INDIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), BIOSIS, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.473-482
  • Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Capsaicin  (CAP),  a  toxic  alkaloid  found  in  chili  peppers,  exhibits  anticancer  potential  by  inducing  apoptosis  in  cancer  cells,  thereby  inhibiting  tumor  growth.  CAP  exerts  its  effects  through  mechanisms  such  as  increasing  reactive  oxygen  species  (ROS)  production,  preventing  metastasis,  and  enhancing  the  efficacy  of  chemotherapeutic  agents.  Sodium  selenite  (SS),  a  widely  used  selenium  compound,  plays  a  crucial  role  in  neutralizing  hydrogen  peroxide  (H₂O₂)  and  lipid  hydroperoxides, which can damage DNA. This study investigated their effects on MDA-MB-231 and L929 cell lines using MTT,  Comet,  apoptosis,  malondialdehyde  (MDA),  and  antioxidant  enzyme  activity  assays.  The  LD50  value  of  CAP  was  determined  to  be  50  μM,  with  cytotoxicity  analyses  revealing  a  dose-dependent  decrease  in  cell  viability.  Comet  assay  confirmed DNA damage, while the highest apoptotic cell count was observed at the combined concentration of 50 μM CAP and  5  nM  SS.  Immunohistochemical  analysis  identified  the  involvement  of  the  PI3K/AKT/mTOR  signaling  pathway.  Additionally,  increased  MDA  levels  and  decreased  antioxidant  enzyme  activity  were  observed.  CAP  and  SS  exhibited  a  synergistic  effect,  reducing  proliferation  rates  in  both  cell  lines,  highlighting  their  potential  as  a  therapeutic  strategy  in  cancer treatment.