Docetaxel Combined with Thymoquinone Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells via Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

ABSTRACT: Toxicity and the development of resistance by cancer cells are impediments for docetaxel (DTX), a primary drug for treating prostate cancer (PCa). Since the combination of DTX with natural compounds can increase its effectiveness by reducing its toxic concentrations, we evaluated a combination of thymoquinone (TQ) with DTX and determined its cytotoxicity against PCa cells (DU145 and C4-2B). This combination, in a concentration-dependent manner, resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity and apoptosis in comparison to either DTX or TQ alone. In addition, inhibition of cell survival pathways by PI3K/AKT inhibitors conferred sensitivity of DU145 and C4-2B cells to the combination as compared to the individual drugs. Moreover, the combined drugs (DTX+TQ) with inhibitors of PI3K/AKT increased the exp

SUBMITTER: Singh SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6770702 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature