MODULATION OF THE L-ARGININE METABOLIC PATHWAY IN HeLa CANCER CELLS THROUGH COMBINED TREATMENT WITH PATHWAY INHIBITORS AND HERBAL EXTRACTS

As the global population grows and ages, the incidence of cancer is rising.  Cancer treatment remains one of the most significant biomedical challenges of modern medicine. Current treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, have significantly improved survival rates for some cancers. However, substantial challenges persist across several fronts, which limit the efficacy and accessibility of cancer treatment. In recent years, the integration of herbal preparations alongside conventional chemotherapy has gained growing attention in cancer treatment. The investigation into the synergistic potential of herbal extracts combined with chemotherapeutic agents is of particular interest, as it could enhance their therapeutic efficacy while reducing adverse effects. This work aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect of plant extracts in the HeLa cancer cell line, study the possible mechanisms of action, and observe the effectiveness of the combined effect of plant extracts such as Inula helenium and Alchemilla smirnovii Juz. with chemical inhibitors of the arginase like L-NAME and nor-NOHA, targeting the metabolic pathways of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and arginase. In our study, treatment with Alchemilla smirnovi Juz. resulted in a significant decrease in arginase activity compared to the control group. Similarly, treatment with Inula helenium also reduced arginase activity. This combination aimed to enhance the cytotoxic impact on cancer cells, potentially offering an effective strategy for combating breast cancer. Based on the data, we can conclude that targeting arginine metabolism and using plant-derived compounds holds promise for developing novel anticancer therapies.