Thymoquinone, a bioactive component of black caraway seeds, causes G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells with mutant p53.

Thymoquinone (TQ) from black caraway seeds has several anticancer activities; however, its effect on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells that lack functional tumor suppressor p53 is not known. Here, we explored the growth inhibitory effect of TQ on 2 TNBC cell lines with mutant p53. Cell metabolism assays showed that TQ inhibited TNBC cell growth without affecting normal cell growth. Flow cytometric analyses of TQ-treated TNBC cells showed G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis characterized by the loss of mitochondrial membrane integrity. Western blots of lysates from TQ-treated TNBC cells showed cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor in the cytoplasm, as well as caspase-9 activation consistent with the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Caspase-8 was also activated in TQ-treated TNBC cells, although the mechanism of activation is not clear at this time. Importantly, TQ-induced apoptosis was only partially inhibited by zVAD-fmk, indicating a role for caspase-independent effector molecules. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and increased γH2AX, as well as reduced Akt phosphorylation and decreased expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis, were evident in TQ-treated cells. Finally, TQ enhanced cisplatin- and docetaxel-induced cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that TQ could be useful in the management of TNBC, even when functional p53 is absent.

NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 mediates breast cancer cell resistance to thymoquinone-induced apoptosis.

Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive component of black caraway seed (Nigella sativa) oil, is reported to have antineoplastic properties. In this study we investigated the effect of TQ on a panel of human breast cancer cell lines. Cell viability assays showed that TQ killed T-47D, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468 cells via p53-independent induction of apoptosis; however, MCF-7 cells were refractory to the cytotoxic action of TQ. Western Blot analysis showed that MCF-7 cells expressed high levels of cytoprotective NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), which was responsible for TQ-resistance since inhibition of NQO1 with dicoumarol rendered MCF-7 cells TQ-sensitive. These findings may be clinically important when considering TQ as a possible adjunct treatment for breast cancer since a high percentage of breast tumors express NQO1.

Piperine inhibits the growth and motility of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Piperine, an alkaloid from black pepper, is reported to have anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of piperine on the growth and motility of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Piperine inhibited the in vitro growth of TNBC cells, as well as hormone-dependent breast cancer cells, without affecting normal mammary epithelial cell growth. Exposure to piperine decreased the percentage of TNBC cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. In addition, G1- and G2-associated protein expression was decreased and p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression was increased in piperine-treated TNBC cells. Piperine also inhibited survival-promoting Akt activation in TNBC cells and caused caspase-dependent apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. Interestingly, combined treatment with piperine and γ radiation was more cytotoxic for TNBC cells than γ radiation alone. The in vitro migration of piperine-treated TNBC cells was impaired and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 mRNA was decreased, suggesting an antimetastatic effect by piperine. Finally, intratumoral administration of piperine inhibited the growth of TNBC xenografts in immune-deficient mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that piperine may be useful in the treatment of TNBC.