Dr. Ramaraj is a Professor of Biochemistry in the Biomedical Sciences department at Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM), where he is teaching in Integrated sciences, Special topics, CV system, Endocrine system, Reproductive system and hematology. Before joining BUCOM, Dr. Ramaraj was working for 14 years as Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM). During his stay at KCOM. Dr. Ramaraj has published several book chapters and research papers in international journals and has presented his research work at various national and international scientific meetings. He has also trained masters’ and medical students in research work. He is working on melanoma (skin cancer) and has developed two cocktails that inhibited human melanoma cells in-vitro. Currently, he is checking the cocktails efficacy on other cancer cell lines.
In-Vitro Combo Treatments of Human Melanoma Cell Lines (BLM, 1205Lu, WM238) with Curcumin, Steroids and Vitamins
Results of our previous in-vitro studies on the inhibition of human melanoma cell growth by steroids (progesterone (P), RU-486), curcumin (cur) and vitamins (A and D3), gave the idea for a combination treatment of melanoma cells in-vitro. The aim was to study the combined effects of curcumin, vitamins (D3 and A), and steroids (P4 and RU-486) on human melanoma (BLM, 1205Lu, WM238) cell growth and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion in vitro. Human melanoma cells were incubated in a 96-well plate with a single (solo) compound or a double combo of the compounds or a triple combo of the compounds in various combinations. Supernatants were subjected to Elisarray and quantitation of the cytokine IL-8 secreted by the cells. Results from the three cell lines (BLM, 1205Lu and WM238) were compared. Solo or single compound treatment of Cur, P, RU, A and D3 resulted in 40 to 57% of BLM cell growth compared to its untreated control cell growth at 100%. Similarly, 1205Lu cell line treatments resulted in 37 to 59% cell growth compared to its untreated control cell growth at 100%. A double combo of compounds such as Cur+D3, Cur+P treatments resulted in 19 to 42% of BLM cell growth and 17 to 37% of 1205Lu cell growth. Whereas WM238 cell line showed 18 to 22% cell growth. A triple combo such as Cur+P+RU, treatments resulted in 21 to 30% of BLM cell growth and 19 to 30% of 1205Lu cell growth. Whereas WM238 cell line showed 19 to 20% cell growth. Elisarray of the supernatants pointed to the two combo treatments A+RU and Cur+P+RU as having a basal secretion profile of various proinflammatory cytokines by the three cell lines with IL-8 secretion significantly suppressed. Hence, IL-8 in the supernatants of the two combo treatments was quantitated by Elisa. IL-8 secretion by the BLM cell line was 46.1 pg/ml and 31.08 pg/ml respectively in the supernatants of the combos A+RU and Cur+P+RU. Whereas IL-8 secretion by the 1205Lu cell line was 17.5 and 8.0 pg/ml respectively and IL-8 secretion by the WM238 cell line was 0.515 and 0.926 pg/ml respectively.
Conclusion: Measurements based on cell growth, Elisarray and IL-8 quantitation indicated the two combos A+RU and Cur+P+RU worked well on three melanoma cell lines in decreasing cell growth and IL-8 secretion, suggesting a combination of compounds was more effective in decreasing melanoma cell growth than an individual treatment of a compound. Moreover, these studies highlighted the potential of natural and biocompatible compounds in decreasing melanoma cell growth in-vitro.