Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen
19:44

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Published on: May 30, 2012

18.8K

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Induction of Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Lines by

Reem J Abdualmjid1, Consolato M Sergi1,2

  • 1Department of Lab. Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Thymoquinone (TQ) inhibits liver cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis. This natural compound shows significant therapeutic potential against hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are primary liver cancers with limited treatment options.
  • Thymoquinone (TQ), derived from Nigella sativa, exhibits anti-neoplastic properties.
  • Investigating TQ's effects on liver cancer cell mitochondria and apoptosis is crucial for therapeutic development.

Approach:

  • TQ was applied to hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and cholangiocarcinoma (HuCCT1) cell lines at varying concentrations and durations.
  • Anti-proliferative effects were assessed using the MTS assay.
  • Cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and mitochondrial viability (morphology, membrane potential) were analyzed.

Key Points:

  • TQ demonstrated dose- and time-dependent inhibition of HepG2 and HuCCT1 cell proliferation.
  • TQ induced cell cycle arrest in both cancer cell lines.
  • TQ triggered apoptosis and affected mitochondrial viability in liver cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Thymoquinone exhibits significant anti-tumor activity against hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma cells.
  • TQ induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
  • Further research into TQ as an anti-cancer agent for liver tumors is warranted.
Keywords:
apoptosischolangiocellular carcinomahepatocellular carcinomamitochondriathymoquinone

More Related Videos

Experimental Protocol for Detecting Mitochondrial Function in Hepatocytes Exposed to Organochlorine Pesticides08:39

Experimental Protocol for Detecting Mitochondrial Function in Hepatocytes Exposed to Organochlorine Pesticides

Published on: September 16, 2020

8.1K
Detection of Mitochondria Membrane Potential to Study CLIC4 Knockdown-induced HN4 Cell Apoptosis In Vitro13:20

Detection of Mitochondria Membrane Potential to Study CLIC4 Knockdown-induced HN4 Cell Apoptosis In Vitro

Published on: July 17, 2018

10.4K

Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
14.8K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
6.7K
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
11.7K