Study of the Radiosensitizing and Radioprotective Efficacy of Bromelain (a Pineapple Extract): In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract

This study hypothesizes that, bromelain (BL) acts as radiosensitizer of tumor cells and that it protects normal cells from radiation effects. In vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out to prove that assumption. In vitro MTT cell proliferation assay has shown that the irradiated Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell line could be sensitized by BL pretreatment. In vivo: animals were randomly divided into 5 groups, Group 1: control (PBS i.p for 10 days), Group 2: Ehrlich solid tumor (EST) bearing mice, Group 3: EST + γ-radiation (fractionated dose, 1 Gy × 5), Group 4: EST + BL (6 mg/kg, i.p), daily for 10 days, Group 5: EST + BL for 10 days followed by γ-irradiation (1 Gy × 5). The size and weight of tumors in gamma-irradiated EST bearing mice treated with BL decreased significantly with a significant amelioration in the histopathological examination. Besides, BL mitigated the effect of γ-irradiation on the liver relative gene expression of poly ADP ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1), nuclear factor kappa activated B cells (NF-κB), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α), and it restored liver function via amelioration of paraoxonase1 (PON1) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin (ALB). It is concluded that BL can be considered as a radio-sensitizer and radio-protector, suggesting a possible role in reducing radiation exposure dose during radiotherapy.

Novel iodinated quinazolinones bearing sulfonamide as new scaffold targeting radiation induced oxidative stress

“…Gamma irradiated mice showed a significant decline in red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT) % and platelet (PLT) compared with control mice (Table 5). Irradiation effects on blood picture in the current study are in accordance with Vasudeva et al and Mekkawy et al 42,43 Irradiation has a well-documented impact on hematopoietic cells. 44 The decrease in erythrocyte count could be due to a decline in their production, increased destruction and/or hemorrhage due to failure of thrombopoiesis and apoptosis of lymphocytes.…”

Beneficial Properties of Bromelain

“…It is worth noting that several reports indicate that bromelain is effective in inhibiting the development of other types of cancer-soft tissue sarcoma [156], lung [152], and oral cancer cells [157]. An innovative application of bromelain in available chemotherapy was proposed by Mekkawy et al [158]. The radiosensitizing and radioprotective efficacy of bromelain was investigated in in vitro and in vivo studies.…”

Anticancer properties of bromelain: State-of-the-art and recent trends

“…From this perspective, the hypothesis that bromelain acts as a radiosensitizer and radioprotector becomes suggestive. Mekkawy and coworkers make this hypothesis their own through in vivo studies in Ehrlich solid tumor (EST) bearing mice (152). The size and weight of tumors in gamma-irradiated EST-bearing mice treated with bromelain decreased significantly with a significant amelioration in the histopathological examination (Mekkawy et al, 2020).…”

“…Mekkawy and coworkers make this hypothesis their own through in vivo studies in Ehrlich solid tumor (EST) bearing mice (152). The size and weight of tumors in gamma-irradiated EST-bearing mice treated with bromelain decreased significantly with a significant amelioration in the histopathological examination (Mekkawy et al, 2020). The benefits could be linked to the gene expression of some nuclear factors (poly ADP ribose polymerase-I, NF-kB), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a together with restored liver function.…”