Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Kumi-Diaka, James

Abstract

Recent advancement in chemotherapy has resulted in higher and longer survival rates of testicular cancer patients. However the use of chemotherapeutic agents are not without serious, sometimes fatal side effects. This study investigated the potential therapeutic efficacy of pomegranate extracts in testis cancer cells, GC1-spg, in vitro. A battery of assays was used to determine the chemosensitivity of GC1-spg cells to two pomegranate extracts, S (seed) and P (pericarp), in single and combination treatments: MTS and LDH to determine post-treatment survival rate (growth inhibition) and cytotoxicity respectively; Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide fluorescent dye to assess treatment-induced apoptosis/necrosis; Annexin V-FITC and TUNEL assays for early and late apoptosis respectively. Results from the obtained data indicated that both extracts have significant cytotoxic effect on testicular cancer cells (GC1-spg) in single and combination treatments. The data revealed a dose and time dependency of chemosensitivity to both extracts; and that apoptosis was the major mechanism treatment-induced cell death. Synergism was also indicated in growth inhibition by combination treatment. These findings offer strong justification for further studies with pomegranate as potential phytotherapy.

Extent

53 p.

Comments

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2004.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Identifier

FADT13154

Format

pdf

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