Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cancer Research
Cayla Harris - Jackson State University
Co-Author(s): Katelyn Irons, Jackson State University; Jackson, MS ; Dr. Carolyn Howard, Jackson State University; Jackson, MS ; Dr. Tammi Taylor, Jackson State University; Jackson, MS
Cervical Cancer is the second most common cancer amongst women. It occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow uncontrollably and can be successfully treated if detected early. The effects can be severe on the human body. Damage to the lining of the cervix, restricted use of the bladder or rectum, removal of reproductive organs, and more are all possible effects of cervical cancer. In addition to surgery and radiation therapy, chemotherapy is a commonly used practice to treat Cervical cancer.
Chemotherapeutics such as Cisplatin are widely-used drugs recommended by healthcare professionals because they are known to treat many types of cancer. However, they can cause adverse side effects when treated with this drug for a long period of time. Previous studies have shown, Verononia Amygdalina (VA), is an herbal extract that has been proven to help reduce the effects of breast cancer (Howard.et.al 2016).
Our studies are to determine if there is a synergistic effect with the drug Cisplatin and herbal extracts of VA using two different HELA cell lines. We hypothesize that these studies will prove that herbal therapeutics my help decrease the side effects when used together of the standard of care treatment.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): LSAMP
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tammi Taylor, tammi.m.taylor@jsums.edu
Role: Throughout the duration of my research, I made sure that my cells were healthy and viable before they began to attach and become confluent. After they were confluent I began to treat the cells with Cisplatin, except for my control so that I could measure the inhibition of growth of cancer cells.