The cytotoxic, genotoxic and apoptotic effects of an adsorbent and anti‑oxidative vaginal gel on human cervical cancer cell (HeLa) lines

To demonstrate the effect of silicon dioxide, citric acid and sodium selenite combination vaginal gel (DeflaGyn®) on critical parameters in carcinogenesis in vitro HeLa cell culture medium. Various parameters including cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species, genotoxicity, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and glutathione levels were evaluated by applying varying doses of vaginal gel to HeLa cell culture medium. The vaginal gel showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells. The IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) gel concentration for HeLa cells at 24 h was calculated on the concentration-response curve and was found to be 80.15% of DeflaGyn®. Increasing DeflaGyn® concentrations (12.5–100%) increased iROS (intracellular reactive oxygen species) levels 1.3-fold on average compared to the control (0.1% DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)). DNA damage and apoptosis levels increased significantly with concentration in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, a decrease was observed in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP levels decreased statistically significantly up to 70.14%) and intracellular glutathione levels, and all changes were proportional to the dose. Although it is known that the combination of vaginal gel facilitates the regression of cervical dysplasia and clearance of high-risk HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) types, there is no detailed information on the mechanism by which it provides these effects. In the present study, we found that the specific vaginal gel had a dose-dependent effect on various parameters thought to be important in the process of cervical carcinogenesis. Further studies are needed to reveal the pathways through which the gel is effective and whether it has similar effects in vivo.

HeLa; Adsorptive and antioxidative vaginal gel; Silicon dioxide; Sodium selenite; Cell viability; Apoptosis

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