Assessing the Effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) alone and in Combination with Cisplatin (CDDP) on Ovarian Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: Ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, ranks among the top five causes of cancer-related deaths in women. The high mortality rate is attributed to late-stage diagnosis, the absence of effective public screening methods, and resistance to platinum-based treatments. Consequently, combination drug therapy emerges as a promising avenue in ovarian cancer management, aiming to augment therapeutic efficacy and circumvent resistance to conventional therapies. Thymoquinone (TQ), a phytochemical compound derived from the Nigella sativa herb, has demonstrated anti-tumorigenic and anti-proliferative properties across various cancer types on ovarian cancer specifically when combined with platinum agents such as cisplatin (CDDP). Therefore, this study seeks to explore the impact of TQ on ovarian cancer cells, both alone and in combination with CDDP. Methods: Two ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR-420 and SKOV-3 were used in this study. A range of two-dimensional (2D) in vitro assays, including MTT, trypan blue assay, and wound healing, were used to assess cell proliferation, viability, and migration respectively. Additionally, a three-dimensional (3D) MatrigelTM-based cell culture assay was employed to evaluate stemness. Both TQ and CDDP were administered as monotherapies and in combination to ascertain their effectiveness. Results: Our results revealed that TQ, both alone and in combination with cisplatin, significantly and synergistically reduced the proliferation, viability, migration, and sphere growth of ovarian cancer cells. TQ specifically at 25μM for OVCAR-420 and 10μM for SKOV-3, significantly lowered the concentration of CDDP when used in combination enhancing the susceptibility of cancer cells to treatment. Conclusion: Our findings show a strong synergistic effect between TQ and CDDP on ovarian cancer cells. Further validation of these findings could pave the way for a more potent therapeutic strategy for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.