LAUSR

Many studies reported that antioxidants and dietary supplements increase tumour progress and reduce survival. Hyperthermia is an adjuvant treatment to sensitise cancer cells for radio- or chemotherapy. The current study was carried out to determine the effects of berberine chloride and hyperthermia on bone cancer cells. MG-63 osteosarcoma cells were treated with hyperthermia (39, 43 and 45°C, respectively) for 1 h. Then, the cells were treated with a low toxic dose of berberine chloride (80 μg/mL). After that, all treated groups were recovered at 37°C for 24 h. Finally, all groups were treated with hyperthermia (39, 43 and 45°C) for the second time (1 h) and were recovered for 3 h at 37°C. Cells exposed to hyperthermia without treatment of berberine chloride were used as hyperthermia control. Cells treated with 80 μg/mL of berberine at 37°C served as berberine control and cells incubated at 37°C were used as an untreated control. All treated groups showed significant apoptosis compared to the control group (p<0.05) except 39°C. On the other hand, mild hyperthermia treatment (39°C) resulted in a reduction of berberine-induced apoptosis (p<0.001). Severe and moderate hyperthermia did not show a significant increase in the rate of apoptosis compared to berberine treated cells. Mild hyperthermia treatment can effectively reduce berberine cytotoxicity and implying negative effects on cancer therapy.