Boswellic Acid Enhances Gemcitabine’s Inhibition of Hypoxia-Driven Angiogenesis in Human Endometrial Cancer

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Endometrial carcinoma is among the most common gynecological malignancies, with recurrence and chemoresistance remaining major clinical challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of Boswellic acid (BA), a natural pentacyclic triterpene, and Gemcitabine (GEM), a nucleoside analog chemotherapeutic, on hypoxia, angiogenesis, and apoptosis in human endometrial cancer cells. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: ECC-1 cells were treated with BA, GEM, or their combination under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cell viability (MTT assay); nuclear morphology (NucBlue staining); cell cycle distribution (PI flow cytometry); angiogenesis (VEGF ELISA expression); apoptosis (Caspase-3/7 activity; Bax; Bcl-2 expression); inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β; IL-6; TNF-α); and gene ontology enrichment were analyzed. <i>Results</i>: Both BA and GEM reduced cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with the combination producing synergistic cytotoxicity and lower IC<sub>50</sub> values. Hypoxia enhanced drug sensitivity, particularly in combination therapy. BA and GEM significantly suppressed HIF-1α and VEGF expression, with maximal inhibition observed in the combination group. Apoptotic induction was confirmed by increased Bax and Caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 expression, together with elevated Caspase-3/7, -8, and -9 activity. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were markedly reduced, and gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment of apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-angiogenic pathways. <i>Conclusions</i>: BA + GEM combination synergistically suppresses hypoxia-driven angiogenesis and promotes apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells. These findings support its potential as an adjuvant therapeutic approach, warranting further preclinical and clinical validation.

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Publication Details

Journal
Medicina
Published
2025-12-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61122181
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.39
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article

Boswellic Acid Enhances Gemcitabine’s Inhibition of Hypoxia-Driven Angiogenesis in Human Endometrial Cancer

İlhan Özdemır, Mehmet Cudi Tuncer, Şamil Öztürk, Yasemin Afşin et al.
1 citations
Medicina
Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants
1.39
article

Boswellic Acid Enhances Gemcitabine’s Inhibition of Hypoxia-Driven Angiogenesis in Human Endometrial Cancer

İlhan Özdemır, Mehmet Cudi Tuncer, Şamil Öztürk, Yasemin Afşin, Senem Alkan Akalın
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Endometrial carcinoma is among the most common gynecological malignancies, with recurrence and chemoresistance remaining major clinical challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of Boswellic acid (BA), a natural pentacyclic triterpene, and Gemcitabine (GEM), a nucleoside analog chemotherapeutic, on hypoxia, angiogenesis, and apoptosis in human endometrial cancer cells. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: ECC-1 cells were treated with BA, GEM, or their combination under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cell viability (MTT assay); nuclear morphology (NucBlue staining); cell cycle distribution (PI flow cytometry); angiogenesis (VEGF ELISA expression); apoptosis (Caspase-3/7 activity; Bax; Bcl-2 expression); inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β; IL-6; TNF-α); and gene ontology enrichment were analyzed. <i>Results</i>: Both BA and GEM reduced cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with the combination producing synergistic cytotoxicity and lower IC<sub>50</sub> values. Hypoxia enhanced drug sensitivity, particularly in combination therapy. BA and GEM significantly suppressed HIF-1α and VEGF expression, with maximal inhibition observed in the combination group. Apoptotic induction was confirmed by increased Bax and Caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 expression, together with elevated Caspase-3/7, -8, and -9 activity. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were markedly reduced, and gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment of apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-angiogenic pathways. <i>Conclusions</i>: BA + GEM combination synergistically suppresses hypoxia-driven angiogenesis and promotes apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells. These findings support its potential as an adjuvant therapeutic approach, warranting further preclinical and clinical validation.

MedicinaVol. 61(12)
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi (TR), Dicle University (TR), Batman University (TR), Turkish Society of Cardiology (TR), Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (TR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants
1.39
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