Comparison of the apoptotic effects of TPSF small molecule and hydroalcoholic extract of Ziziphus spina-christi on cervical cancer cells

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in the world. Considering the prevalence of cervical cancer in Iran and unsuccessful treatments, the apoptotic effects of TPSF small molecule investigated in comparison with the hydroelectric extract of Ziziphus Spina-christi leaves on the cervical cancer cell line (HeLa).

HeLa cells were cultured in a DMEM medium containing 10% FBS, and treated with different concentrations of TPSF and extract on days 1, 3 and 5. Apoptotic effects were investigated using MTT method, and the morphology of cells was studied by Giemsa staining using invert microscope.

2 μm concentration of TPSF was determined in 24 hours as IC50 for HeLa cells. The percentage of viability in cells treated with 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 μM TPSF was 78, 63, 50, 42 and 37%. The concentration of 4 mM hydroalcoholic extract was determined as IC50 of HeLa cells in 24 hours. The percentage of viability in treated cells with 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mM from the extract of was 73, 61, 50, 41, and 37. The results showed a significant (P≤0.05) decrease compared with the control samples. Also, morphological results showed that the treated cells indicated notable changes such as the shrunk nucleus, damaged membrane, and wrinkled cytoplasm compared with the control sample.

The TPSF is significantly better than the extract of Ziziphus Spina-christi, it can be concluded that small molecules have the smallest amount of cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells and have a greater apoptotic effect.