Posters
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Research Associate
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Cancer and Immunology
Academic Level (Author 2)
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Cancer and Immunology
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Cancer and Immunology
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasingly linked to various co-morbidity factors, notably smoking, which introduces benzo[a]pyrene—a potent carcinogen known for its role in liver damage. Cucurbitacin, a triterpene with diverse biological activities, exhibits antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, yet its hepatoprotective effects remain inadequately explored. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective activity of cucurbitacin D, a novel analog, against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver injury in human HepG2 cells. To evaluate its protective effects, we conducted proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, invasion assays, alongside Western blotting and qPCR analyses. The DCFDA assay was employed to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in liver cells. Our results indicated that cucurbitacin D displayed significant cytoprotective effects, effectively counteracting the dose-dependent growth inhibition caused by benzo[a]pyrene. This protective activity is likely linked to its antioxidant capacity, demonstrated by the reduced ROS levels observed through fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, Western blot analyses revealed that cucurbitacin D targets the Nrf2 signaling pathway, influencing associated proteins such as HO-1 and LC3A, thereby safeguarding liver cells from oxidative damage incurred by benzo[a]pyrene. Ongoing research aims to elucidate the specific molecular mechanisms underlying its action. In conclusion, our findings highlight cucurbitacin D's hepatoprotective efficacy against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver injury, positioning it as a promising candidate for nutritional supplement formulations.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Sikander, Mohammed; Malik, Shabnam; Zubieta, Daniel; Rodriguez, Anyssa; Halaweish, Fathi T.; Yallapu, Murali; Jaggi, Meena; and Chauhan, Subhash, "Investigating Cucurbitacin D's Efficacy in Ameliorating Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Hepatic Injury" (2025). Research Colloquium. 43.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2025/posters/43
Included in
Investigating Cucurbitacin D's Efficacy in Ameliorating Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Hepatic Injury
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasingly linked to various co-morbidity factors, notably smoking, which introduces benzo[a]pyrene—a potent carcinogen known for its role in liver damage. Cucurbitacin, a triterpene with diverse biological activities, exhibits antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, yet its hepatoprotective effects remain inadequately explored. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective activity of cucurbitacin D, a novel analog, against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver injury in human HepG2 cells. To evaluate its protective effects, we conducted proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, invasion assays, alongside Western blotting and qPCR analyses. The DCFDA assay was employed to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in liver cells. Our results indicated that cucurbitacin D displayed significant cytoprotective effects, effectively counteracting the dose-dependent growth inhibition caused by benzo[a]pyrene. This protective activity is likely linked to its antioxidant capacity, demonstrated by the reduced ROS levels observed through fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, Western blot analyses revealed that cucurbitacin D targets the Nrf2 signaling pathway, influencing associated proteins such as HO-1 and LC3A, thereby safeguarding liver cells from oxidative damage incurred by benzo[a]pyrene. Ongoing research aims to elucidate the specific molecular mechanisms underlying its action. In conclusion, our findings highlight cucurbitacin D's hepatoprotective efficacy against benzo[a]pyrene-induced liver injury, positioning it as a promising candidate for nutritional supplement formulations.
