Abstract:
The rising interest in innovative methods of cancer immunotherapy has prompted research into the immunomodulatory mechanisms of natural and synthetic substances.
Aim: The goal of this study was to assess chrysin immune-stimulating and pro-apoptotic effects on tumor growth and cell susceptibility to ionizing radiation in order to improve cancer therapy.
Methods: Chrysin (20 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally injected to mice bearing 1 cm 3 solid tumor of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) for 21 consecutive days. Mice were whole body exposed to 1 Gy of gamma radiation (2 fractionated dose 0.5 Gy each).
Result: Treatment with chrysin dramatically reduces tumor proliferation in EAC mice; furthermore, IFN-γ activity is significantly reduced when compared to EAC mice. When compared to EAC mice, the expression of TNF-α, free radicals, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were considerably reduced, along with improvements in apoptotic regulators (caspase-3 activity).
Moreover, the histopathological investigation confirms the improvement exerted by chrysin even in the EAC mice group or the EAC + R group. What is more, exposure to gamma radiation sustained the modulatory effect of chrysin on tumor when compared with EAC + Ch mice.
Conclusion: Hence, chrysin might represent a potential therapeutic strategy for increasing the radiation response of solid tumor.
Keywords: Chrysin, gamma radiation, TNF-α, IFNγ, apoptosis, caspase-3, histopathology.
