The Effect of Thymoquinone on Cell Proliferation, 8-Hydroxy-2-Deoxyguanosine Level and Expression Changes of Dna Repair and Oxidative Stress-Related Genes in Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of thymoquinone on cell proliferation, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine level and expression changes of oxidative stress and DNA repair-related genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Material methods: Cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells after thymoquinone exposure was determined by MTT assay. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine protein concentration was measured by ELISA assay. Total RNA isolation from control and thymoquinone treated cell was performed by Trizol and cDNA was synthesized. mRNA expression changes of OGG1, NEIL-1, CRCC1 SOD2, CAT and NRF-2 were also determined in RT-PCR using SYBER Green method. Results: In this study, the IC50 dose of thymoquinone in MCF-7 cells was determined as 7.867 μM at 24th hour. It was investigated that thymoquinone inhibited 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine level in breast cancer cells according to RT-PCR results, thymoquinone increased XRRC1 expression 4.71-fold and catalase expression 6.68-fold in breast cancer cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, TQ inhibits MCF-7 cell proliferation under in vitro conditions. It also alters the expression of genes associated with DNA repair and oxidative stress and acts through this oxidative stress mechanism. This study contributes to the existing literature and provides preliminary data for more comprehensive studies. © 2025, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.