Investigation of the effect of Gallic Acid on the EGFR/FOXP3 signaling pathway in human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa)

Aim: In our study, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin (Dox) and the natural antioxidant Gallic acid (GA) on human cervix adenocarcinoma HeLa cells and human skin keratinocyte cell line HaCat cell lines. In cases where surgical procedures and chemotherapy are insufficient in cancer treatment, the patient's quality of life may be negatively affected due to the side effects of chemotherapy. For this reason, in recent years, demands for the use of alternative and supportive agents, especially herbal products, in cancer treatment protocols have increased. Studies in this field are quite limited. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of GA, found in many herbal products, on HeLa cells were investigated. Material Method: In our study, different doses of GA and Dox were applied to the cells for 24, 48 and 72 hours and the cytotoxicity level was determined by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. With Western blot and RT-PCR analysis, the genes and expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and forkhead box proteins 3 (FOXP3), which are metastasis markers, were examined. After 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, colony counting was performed to determine its effect on cell proliferation. Cell migration was evaluated morphologically by creating an in vitro wound model for metastasis. All results were analyzed statistically. Result: The study results showed that the induction of apoptosis and cytotoxic effect reached the highest level with the application of Gallic acid, and a significant decrease in EGFR and FOXP3 levels occurred with the applications of Gallic acid and Doxorubicin. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was shown that the highest cytotoxic effect and the highest apoptosis induction occurred with GA application, and a significant decrease in EGFR and FOXP3 levels occurred in GA and Dox applications.