Akciğer Kanseri Hücrelerinde Metotreksat ve Karvakrol Kombinasyonunun Sitotoksik ve Apoptotik Etkilerinin Değerlendirilmesi

The aim of this study is to compare the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of methotrexate (MTX),one of chemotherapy drug, alone application with the combined application of MTX and carvacrol, a naturally occurring monoterpenoid phenol, in lung cancer cells. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay after A-549 cells were treated with MTX alone and in combination with carvacrol for 48 h. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity test was employed to assess whether MTX alone or in combination with carvacrol treatments, induced membrane damage by detecting changes in LDH activity in A-549 cells. Caspase-3 enzyme activity changes in cells were measured to show the apoptotic effect. By examining the alterations in glutathione peroxidase activity, an attempt was made to determine whether MTX, alone and in combination with carvacrol, played a role in inducing oxidative stress. It was observed that the combined application of MTX and carvacrol for 48 h inhibited cell proliferation more than MTX alone treatment, demonstrating a stronger cytotoxic effect. Additionally, it caused a greater increase in LDH activity, a marker of membrane damage, and also led to a higher increase in caspase-3 activity, an enzyme involved in the apoptotic pathway. The results of this study show that the combined application of MTX and carvacrol leads to a greater increase in LDH activity and caspase-3 activity compared to MTX alone treatment, indicating more significant membrane damage and apoptotic effects. Therefore, combined treatment could be considered a strategy for alleviating the side effects associated with MTX in lung cancer.