The cytotoxic effects of Tolmetin on evaluation of Bax and Bcl2 genes expression level in cervical cancer cells (Hela)

Tolmetin (C15H15NO3) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that exerts its effects by inhibiting prostaglandins and mainly used in the treatment of acute and chronic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and arthritis. Studies have shown that Tolmetin has anti-carcinogenic effects on different cancer cells. Due to the limited studies on the apoptotic effects of Tolmetin, the present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Tolmetin on the evaluation of Bax and Bcl2 gene expression levels in cervical cancer cells (Hela).

In this experimental study, the cervical cancer cells were purchased from Pasteur Institute then randomly divided into control group (non-exposure to Tolmetin) and groups exposed to different concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml of Tolmetin. The cytotoxic effect of Tolmetin was measured using the MTT assay. Also, using Real-Time PCR, expression of BAX, and BCl2 genes was evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.

The concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/ml of Tolmetin resulted in cytotoxic effects on Hela cells. And IC50 dose of 5 mg/ml of Tolmetin increased the expression of the apoptotic Bax gene more than the anti-apoptotic BCL2 gene.

Tolmetin can possibly cause cell death in cervical cancer cells by inducing the Bax gene and the BCL2 anti-apoptosis gene.