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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Basic Research in Plasma Medicine - A Throughput Approach from Liquids to Cells
Published on: November 17, 2017
Cold atmospheric plasma generated reactive species aided inhibitory effects on human melanoma cells: an in vitro and
Dharmendra Kumar Yadav1, Manish Adhikari2, Surendra Kumar3
1Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. dharmendra30oct@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Malignant melanoma is considered to be a heterogeneous disease that arises from altered genes and transformed melanocytes. In this study, special softjet cold atmospheric plasma was used to treat three different human melanoma cells using air and N2 gases to check the anti-melanoma activity. The physical effects by plasma revealed an increase in the temperature with the gradual reduction in pH at 60 sec, 180 sec and 300 sec air and N2 plasma treatment. Cellular toxicity revealed a decreased in cell survival (~50% cell survival using air gas and <~60% cell survival using N2 gas at 60 sec plasma treatment in G-361 cells). Gene analysis by q-PCR revealed that 3 min and 5 min air and N2 plasma treatment activated apoptotic pathways by triggering apoptotic genes in all three melanoma cell lines. The apoptosis was confirmed by DAPI staining and its related pathways were further explored according to protein-protein docking, and their probable activation mechanism was revealed. The pathways highlighted that activation of apoptosis which leads to cellular cascades and hence stimulation ASK1 (docking method) revealed that softjet plasma can be an effective modality for human melanoma treatment.
Insights
Softjet cold atmospheric plasma effectively treats human melanoma cells by inducing apoptosis. This novel plasma therapy shows significant anti-melanoma activity, offering a promising new treatment modality.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- Malignant melanoma is a complex, heterogeneous cancer originating from transformed melanocytes.
- Current treatments face challenges due to melanoma's adaptability and resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-melanoma activity of softjet cold atmospheric plasma.
- To evaluate the effects of air and nitrogen plasma on human melanoma cells.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plasma-induced melanoma cell death.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of three human melanoma cell lines with softjet cold atmospheric plasma (air and N2 gases).
- Assessment of physical plasma effects (temperature, pH).
- Evaluation of cellular toxicity (cell survival rates).
- Gene expression analysis using quantitative PCR (q-PCR) for apoptotic genes.
- Confirmation of apoptosis via DAPI staining and protein-protein docking.
Main Results:
- Plasma treatment led to increased temperature and decreased pH.
- Significant reduction in melanoma cell survival observed (~50% with air, <60% with N2 at 60s).
- q-PCR and DAPI staining confirmed activation of apoptotic pathways in all cell lines.
- Protein-protein docking suggested ASK1 activation as a key mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Softjet cold atmospheric plasma demonstrates potent anti-melanoma activity.
- Plasma treatment effectively induces apoptosis in human melanoma cells.
- This plasma modality presents a promising therapeutic option for melanoma treatment.
