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Volume 34, Issue 4 (July & August 2026)
J Adv Med Biomed Res 2026, 34(4): 374-379 |
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Ethics code: IR.MAZUMS.REC.1402.17969.
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Yari F, Sadeghi ghadi Z, Mahbodi H, Enderami S E, Zargari K, Zargari M. Evaluating the Effects of Combined Colchicine and Melatonin Treatment on BAX/BCL2 Expression and Cell Survival in MCF-7 Cell Line. J Adv Med Biomed Res 2026; 34 (4) :374-379
URL: http://journal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-7833-en.html
URL: http://journal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-7833-en.html
Fatemeh Yari1 
, Zynab Sadeghi ghadi2 
, Hossien Mahbodi3 , Seyed Ehsan Enderami2 , Kimia Zargari1 , Mehryar Zargari *4
, Zynab Sadeghi ghadi2 , Hossien Mahbodi3 , Seyed Ehsan Enderami2 , Kimia Zargari1 , Mehryar Zargari *4
1- Department of clinical biochemistry and genetic, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
2- Department of biotechnology, faculty of advanced technology in medicine, Mazandaran University of medical sciences, sari, Iran
3- Depatment of of Biotechnology, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
4- Professor of Biochemistry, Department of clinical biochemistry and genetic, Molecular and cell biology research center, Faculty of Medicine Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. ,mzargari@mazums.ac.ir
2- Department of biotechnology, faculty of advanced technology in medicine, Mazandaran University of medical sciences, sari, Iran
3- Depatment of of Biotechnology, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
4- Professor of Biochemistry, Department of clinical biochemistry and genetic, Molecular and cell biology research center, Faculty of Medicine Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. ,
Abstract: (694 Views)
Background & Objective: Combination chemotherapy has gained attention as a promising strategy to improve therapeutic outcomes and circumvent drug resistance in malignancies. This research examined the combined effects of colchicine (a microtubule-disrupting alkaloid) and melatonin (an agent with antioxidative and anti-tumor properties) on survival and the transcriptional profile of BAX and BCL2 in the MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line.
Materials & Methods: MCF-7 cells were exposed to either individual agents (colchicine, melatonin) or their combination under standard conditions for 24–72 hours. We quantified viability via MTT assay, BAX and BCL2 mRNA levels by RT-PCR.
Results: At 48 hours, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 150 µg/mL for colchicine and 371 µg/mL for melatonin. Co-administration of colchicine (>25 µg/mL) with a constant melatonin level (150 µg/mL) reduced viability by 50% (P<0.01). Gene expression revealed that solo treatments of colchicine (75 µg/mL), melatonin (250 µg/mL) and their combination (colchicine 25 µg/mL + melatonin 150 µg/mL) significantly increased BAX while suppressing BCL2 expression relative to controls (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The colchicine-melatonin duo synergistically diminished MCF-7 cell survival and shifted the BAX/BCL2 balance toward pro-apoptotic signaling, suggesting its promise as a novel breast cancer regimen. In vivo and clinical experiments are needed to validate these observations.
Materials & Methods: MCF-7 cells were exposed to either individual agents (colchicine, melatonin) or their combination under standard conditions for 24–72 hours. We quantified viability via MTT assay, BAX and BCL2 mRNA levels by RT-PCR.
Results: At 48 hours, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 150 µg/mL for colchicine and 371 µg/mL for melatonin. Co-administration of colchicine (>25 µg/mL) with a constant melatonin level (150 µg/mL) reduced viability by 50% (P<0.01). Gene expression revealed that solo treatments of colchicine (75 µg/mL), melatonin (250 µg/mL) and their combination (colchicine 25 µg/mL + melatonin 150 µg/mL) significantly increased BAX while suppressing BCL2 expression relative to controls (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The colchicine-melatonin duo synergistically diminished MCF-7 cell survival and shifted the BAX/BCL2 balance toward pro-apoptotic signaling, suggesting its promise as a novel breast cancer regimen. In vivo and clinical experiments are needed to validate these observations.
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Clinical Medicine
Received: 2026/05/2 | Accepted: 2026/06/22 | Published: 2026/08/4
Received: 2026/05/2 | Accepted: 2026/06/22 | Published: 2026/08/4
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