Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cancer Research
Justin Sanders - Tuskegee/Indiana University School of Dentistry
Co-Author(s): Jadesada Palasuk and L. Jack Windsor
Many studies have shown that Humulus lupulus, a species of flowering plant native to Europe, Western Asia and North America, has always been a key factor in inhibiting cancer cells. The plant is apparently used in the brewing industry. Research has already shown powerful effects in a tumor cell model. Its effects will be examined on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) cultured from clinically healthy gingival connective tissue removed from a patient undergoing crown-lengthening surgery and SCC-25, oral cancer cells that are metastatic. The objective is to examine if Humulus lupulus inhibits SCC-25 growth without affecting the growth of the human gingival fibroblasts. SCC25 and HGF were exposed to different concentrations of the Humulus and examined to determine the number of live cells at each concentration using LDH (measurement of cytotoxicity) and WST-1 (measurement of HGF proliferation) assays. HGFs and SCC25 were used in the experiments to determine Humulus lupulus cytotoxicity and its effects on cell proliferation. HGFs were incubated with Humulus lupulus (Aida at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.005%, 0.025%, and 0.0125%). SCC-25 cells were killed at all the concentrations tested and the HGFs are being examined now. Further investigations are required to determine if Humulus lupulus differentially kills tumor cells and not normal cells.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Dr. L. Jack Windsor
Faculty Advisor: L. Jack Windsor,