Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0133-6329 : Mansi Arora

Standing

Undergraduate

Type of Proposal

Oral Research Presentation

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Siyaram Pandey

Proposal

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and the 19th most commonly occurring cancer in men and women. Current therapies for treating melanoma include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Surgeries are primarily helpful at early stages and invasive, while the other treatment options are often accompanied by many side effects due to their toxicity to healthy tissues. Hence, there is a need for the development of more efficacious and less toxic treatments. Historically, several Natural Health Products have been used as non-toxic and medicinal herbs for multiple illnesses, so they are good candidates for anti-cancer agents. In particular, studies have shown that Rosemary Extract (RE), derived from Salvia rosmarinus, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties on many cancer types. However, the level and mechanisms of cell death have not yet been elucidated in both the A375 and G361 human melanoma cell lines. As well, supplemental trials, which assess efficacy and toxicity of RE in combination with chemotherapeutics have not been done for melanoma. Hence, we have characterized the in-vitro RE efficacy in the A375 and G361 cell lines alone and in combination with standard chemotherapeutics used for treatment. The results indicate that RE induces apoptosis at relatively low dosages alone and in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, when RE is used in combination with current treatments, there is no negative interaction and even an anticipated positive interaction following further trials. Thus, RE is a good potential candidate for the treatment of this deadly illness affecting thousands of people around the world.

Availability

March 29th & 31st 1:15 pm-3pm; March 30th 1:15 pm-2:20 pm, April 1st 12-3 pm

Special Considerations

  • Presenters: Mansi Arora and Joshua Mathews
  • Submission is Mansi Arora's biomedical sciences thesis project

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Characterizing the Anti-Cancer Efficacy of Rosemary Extract on Human Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and the 19th most commonly occurring cancer in men and women. Current therapies for treating melanoma include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Surgeries are primarily helpful at early stages and invasive, while the other treatment options are often accompanied by many side effects due to their toxicity to healthy tissues. Hence, there is a need for the development of more efficacious and less toxic treatments. Historically, several Natural Health Products have been used as non-toxic and medicinal herbs for multiple illnesses, so they are good candidates for anti-cancer agents. In particular, studies have shown that Rosemary Extract (RE), derived from Salvia rosmarinus, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties on many cancer types. However, the level and mechanisms of cell death have not yet been elucidated in both the A375 and G361 human melanoma cell lines. As well, supplemental trials, which assess efficacy and toxicity of RE in combination with chemotherapeutics have not been done for melanoma. Hence, we have characterized the in-vitro RE efficacy in the A375 and G361 cell lines alone and in combination with standard chemotherapeutics used for treatment. The results indicate that RE induces apoptosis at relatively low dosages alone and in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, when RE is used in combination with current treatments, there is no negative interaction and even an anticipated positive interaction following further trials. Thus, RE is a good potential candidate for the treatment of this deadly illness affecting thousands of people around the world.