modulation of ikk/nf-κb signaling: a therapeutic mechanism of shilajit in breast cancer cells

Objective: although numerous pharmacological effects of shilajit have been explored by extensive experiments, there is no study on the effects of this ayurvedic substance on the mrna level of nf-κb family members (p50 and relb) and ikk subunits (ikkα and β), in breast cancers. accordingly, the objective of the current experiment was the mechanistic evaluation of the anti-tumoral potential of shilajit against the breast cancer cell line (mcf-7). in this experimental study, the viability% of shilajit (0, 100, 200, 400, 600, and 800 μg/ml)-treated cells was analyzed after 24, 48, and 72 h. in the following, the apoptotic rate and p50, relb, and ikkα/β genes expression were assessed using flow cytometry and real-time pcr assays, respectively.results: shilajit had a potent cytotoxic activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner with an ic50 of 280 μg/ml. based on the annexin-pi analysis, ic50 concentration of this compound induced significant apoptosis in the cells, possibly through suppression of nf-κb-regulated genes. the expression levels exhibited significant (p≤0.05) downregulation of these genes in the treatment group. the findings of the present experiment clearly indicate that shilajit possesses promising anti- breast tumor activity through inhibition of ikk/nf-κb signaling pathway.