Aloe vera Alters Periostin Expression, Abolishes EMT Phenotype, and Sensitises Cells to Radiation in Conjunction With Atorvastatin in Cervical Cancer

Introduction

Resistance to chemoradiation therapy results in poor prognosis and relapse in a sizeable percentage of cervical cancer patients. Toxicities and long-term side effects associated with radiation also warrant the need for molecules that could sensitise cells to radiation therapy. Naturally-derived compounds are a reservoir of non-toxic, potentially effective radiosensitizers of therapy-resistant tumours. This study evaluates the antitumorigenic properties of Aloe vera extracts.

Methods

Phenotypic assays and biochemical experiments like flow cytometry, real-time quantitative PCR, immunofluorescent imaging, western blotting, migration, and wound-healing assays were used to determine the effect of Aloe vera on cervical cancer cell lines.

Results

While Aloe vera treatment caused no significant changes to proliferation, survival, and cell cycling profiles, the expression of periostin, a molecule known for its association with stem-like cancer cells, decreased significantly. Phenotypically, Aloe vera treatment led to diminished clonogenicity and migratory abilities. Finally, combinatorial treatment of cells with Aloe vera and atorvastatin (a pan-Rho GTPase inhibitor) before radiation therapy resulted in a marked decrease in cell survival.

Conclusions

Our findings prove that Aloe vera treatment leads to reduced expression of periostin and adversely affects self-renewal and migration. Importantly, this work provides evidence that Aloe vera, in combination with atorvastatin, could serve as potential radiosensitizers of cancer cells.