Apoptosis induction and anti-inflammatory activity of polyherbal drug AS20 on cervical cancer cell lines

Cancer occurs when normal cells convert into tumor cells as a result of the interaction between a patient’s genes and physical, chemical, or biological carcinogens. There are more than 100 types of cancer and each type requires a specific treatment regimen. The traditional treatment regimen for most types of cancer includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, treatment methods such as chemotherapy not only kill the cancer cells but also kill healthy cells that divide quickly. Chemotherapy induces widespread senescence, which contributes to local and systemic inflammation. To overcome these problems herbal drug treatments can be used as complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). We obtained the polyherbal drug AS20 using Amaranthus spinosus leaves and inflorescences, which contain phytochemicals such as saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids that are known to have anticancer and anti-oxidant activities. We hypothesized that AS20 would show anti-inflammation and induce DNA fragmentation, which is a hallmark of apoptosis in HeLa cells. Furthermore, this study explored the effects of AS20 on the expression of COX2, a marker of inflammation. We found that treatment with AS20 suppressed phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and 5-flurouracil (5-FU) induction of COX2 expression. We also observed AS20 treated cells showed DNA fragmentation in HeLa cells. This research looks into AS20's possible anti-inflammatory effect on cervical cancer cell lines and its capacity to trigger apoptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism that can restrict cancer cell proliferation. These elements are examined in order to offer light on the therapeutic potential of AS20 and aiding the development of safer and more efficient cervical cancer treatment plans.