Radiosensitizing effect of ferulic acid on human cervical carcinoma cells in vitro

Radiotherapy may be effectively combined with plant derived radiosensitizers. Ferulic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic acid, has been reported to have free radical producing properties. In the present study, the radiosensitisation potential of ferulic acid has been tested in two cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and ME-180) in vitro. Percentage of growth inhibition (MTT assay), colony survival, levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS, CD and LHP), antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH), oxidative DNA damage (% tail DNA, tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment), apoptotic morphological changes (AO/EtBr staining) and intracellular ROS levels (DCFH-DA) were estimated. The present results show that ferulic acid (FA) enhances radiation effects by increasing lipid peroxidative markers in HeLa and ME-180 cells. We observed significant enhancement of ROS levels during ferulic acid plus radiation treatment. FA treatment alone increased intracellular ROS levels indicate its prooxidant nature. Similarly, we observed enhanced oxidative DNA damage and apoptotic morphological changes in FA plus radiation treated cells. The present data suggest radiation sensitizing property of FA in cervical cancer cells. Further investigations warrants to substantiate the present findings.

► Adjuvant for cancer radiotherapy. ► Dietary natural phenolics for radiosensitisation. ► Ferulic acid exhibits prooxidant property in cancer cells. ► Ferulic acid augmenting radiation effect in cervical carcinoma cells.