5-FU and the dietary flavonoid carvacrol: a synergistic combination that induces apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Along with the benefits of chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer, the side effects of these drugs along with drug resistance make their use complicated. One of the solutions to overcome this problem is the use of herbal products and combination therapy. In this research, we try to investigate the effects of carvacrol, a monoterpene flavonoid, in combination with the chemotherapy drug 5-FU.

Carvacrol Enhance Apoptotic Effect of 5-FU on MCF-7 Cell Line via inhibiting P-glycoprotein: An In-silco and In-vitro Study.

Background: P-glycoprotein (P-gp), is an ATP-dependent efflux transporter and overexpressed in cancer cells which is responsible for drug resistance and transportation of anticancer agents out of cells. Hence, P-gp inhibition is a promising way to reverse multi-drug resistance, finding a suitable inhibitor is essential. Carvacrol, an active compound of thyme, has been shown anticancer properties in several types of cancers but the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear.