INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF
CancerGenetics
Investigating the effect of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica plant on the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes in rat lung tissue during the process of cancer induction
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Yasaman Zhian,1,* Melina Shadi,2
- Introduction: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with limited improvement in survival rates largely attributed to resistance to apoptosis. Members of the Bcl-2 protein family, including anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic Bax, are critical regulators of this process. The present study investigated the modulatory effects of aqueous Centella asiatica extract on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes in a rat model of DMBA-induced lung cancer.
- Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups and treated with DMBA, C. asiatica extract at varying doses, or their combination, for five weeks. Quantitative real-time PCR, with Gapdh as the reference gene, was employed to determine relative gene expression levels.
- Results: DMBA administration significantly upregulated Bcl-2 and downregulated Bax expression, indicating suppression of apoptotic pathways. Treatment with C. asiatica extract resulted in a dose-dependent reversal of these effects, characterized by reduced Bcl-2 and elevated Bax expression, particularly at higher extract concentrations.
- Conclusion: These findings suggest that C. asiatica may restore apoptotic balance through modulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, supporting its potential as a complementary therapeutic approach in lung cancer management.
- Keywords: Lung cancer; Bcl-2; Bax; Centella asiatica; DMBA; gene expression
