P024 Synergistic effect of phytochemicals combination including ginsenosides and curcumin on recovery from radiation-induced toxicity

Abstract

Abstract Background Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat solid cancers located in the pelvis. A considerable number of patients experience proctitis of varying severity, even for a considerable period after radiotherapy. These side effects are often long-lasting or progressively worsen despite multiple therapeutic efforts and are a primary cause of an unexpectedly low quality of life, even after successful cancer treatment. Therefore, this in vitro study, as an initial trial, evaluated the single and combined efficacy of ginsenoside, curcumin, butyric acid, and sucralfate compounds in treating radiation-induced proctitis. Methods Cell viability and migration assay, endothelial cell tube formation assay were performed using human colon cancer cell lines, dermal fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which were exposed to radiation. In addition, Inflammatory cytokine assay for CXCL10, CCL2, CCL8, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-12, and IL-21 is performed using human monocytes treated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). In all assay, the single and combined efficacy of ginsenoside, curcumin, butyric acid, and sucralfate were analyzed. Results While the candidate compounds did not affect the proliferation and migration of cancer cells, they promoted the recovery of cell activity, including motility. They exhibited anti-inflammatory effects on human dermal fibroblasts or human umbilical vein endothelial cells within in vitro disease models. When each compound was tested, curcumin and ginsenoside were the most effective in cell recovery and promoted the migration of human dermal fibroblasts and cell restoration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The combination of ginsenoside and curcumin resulted in cell migration recovery of approximately 54%. In addition, there was a significant improvement in the length of the endothelial tube, with an increase of approximately 25%, suggesting that the ginsenoside-curcumin-containing combination was the most effective against radiation-induced damage. Furthermore, it was shown that the combination could alleviate radiation-induced inflammation by reducing the concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-12, associated with activated macrophages among LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines, by approximately 20% and 45%, respectively. Conclusion Our study provides valuable insights into using curcumin and ginsenoside as potential compounds for the effective treatment of radiation-induced injuries and highlights the promising therapeutic benefits of combining these two compounds.