Evaluation of Enhanced Cytotoxicity Effect of Repurposed Drug Simvastatin/Thymoquinone Combination against Breast Cancer Cell Line.

Introduction: Repurposing of drugs for their anticancer potential is gaining a lot of importance in drug discovery.

Aims: The present study aims to explore the potential of Simvastatin (SIM), a drug used in the treatment of high cholesterol, and Thymoquinone (Nigella Sativa) (THY) for its anti-cancer activity on breast cancer cell lines. Thymoquinone is reported to have many potential medicinal properties exhibiting antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer, activities like inhibition of tissue growth and division.

Methods: In this analysis, we explored the inhibitory effects of the combination of Simvastatin ad Thymoquinone on two breast cancer cell lines viz MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The combined effect of Simvastatin and Thymoquinone on Cell viability, Colony formation, Cell migration, and orientation of more programmed cell death in vitro was studied. Cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase was concomitant with the combined effect of SIM and THY persuading apoptosis and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Results: The cell cycle arrest with combined treatment was observed that only 1.8% and 1.1% cells gated in G2/M phase in MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231 cell. An increased apoptosis was observed when cells were treated in combination which was about 76.20% and 58.15% respectively for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the combined effect of simvastatin and thymoquinone stimulates apoptosis in breast cancer cells.