Evaluation of the cytotoxicity interactions between epirubicin and daunorubicin in HeLa cell cultures

Abstract

Epirubicin and Daunorubicin, antibiotics which are derivative of anthracyclines, are used on cancer chemotherapy. In this study, Epirubicin and Daunorubicin effects on cell kinetics parameters were examined both single and in combination on HeLa cell culture that was taken from human servical carcinoma. The experiments tested by using IC90 doses of Epirubicin and Daunorubicin (0.5 g/ml and 0.1 g/ml, respectively) were applied for 24 and 48 h. Cell kinetics parameters such as growth rate (WST-1 colorimetric assay), mitotic and apoptotic index were applied to identify cytotoxicity that was formed by drugs. In addition, DNA degradation was examined in agarose gel electrophoresis. The cytotoxic effect of drugs appeared significant decline of growth rate and mitotic index, and significant increase of apoptotic index of HeLa cell line (p < 0.05-0.001). The enhancement of the cytotoxicity to Daunorubicin was closely associated with the DNA degradation.