Antiproliferative Effect of Thymoquinone on Human Colon Cancer Cells: Is It Dependent on Glycolytic Pathway?

Abstract

Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effect and metabolic activity of thymoquinone (TQ) on colon cancer cells (HCT-116). Material and Methods: Cell viability was determined by MTT analysis. Cells were treated with different concentrations of TQ (40, 60, 80, 100, 150, and 200 ?M) on HCT-116 cells and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated by using the CompuSyn software program. In addition, glucose and lactate concentrations were measured from cell culture supernatants for RPMI medium, control and TQ (IC50 dose) groups. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 7. Results: Thymoquinone was found to be antiproliferative particularly in 40-200 ?M concentrations. The IC50 concentration of TQ was calculated as 68 ?M. Glucose levels of supernatants were 478, 384±8.5 and 412±19.7 mg/dL in RPMI medium, control and TQ group, respectively. Lactate levels were found as 20±3.5 ?M in the control group and 8±1.1 ?M in TQ group. Conclusion: The present study showed that TQ has an antiproliferative effect on HCT-116 in addition to its inhibitory effect on a glycolytic pathway.