Investigating the anticancer potential of boric acid against human gastric adenocarcinoma cells

Authors : Aslıhan Kartal, Sezen Atasoy

Pages : 140-149

Doi:10.30728/boron.1743964

View : 91 | Download : 117

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Gastric cancer is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide, and the search for effective, targeted, and biocompatible therapeutic agents remains ongoing. Boric acid, a biologically active and low toxicity boron compound, has recently gained attention for its potential anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of boric acid on human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) in vitro. The cell viability was assessed using a cytotoxicity assay following 24 h boric acid treatment, the IC50 value for AGS cells can be confidently stated as <78.12 μM, while HEK293T nonmalignant cells showed minimal sensitivity, indicating selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells. To further evaluate the mechanism of cell death, Annexin V-FITC and 7-AAD staining was performed via fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Microscopy analysis revealed a substantial rise in Annexin V-FITC and 7-AAD-positive cells in the treated group compared to controls (p<0,0001). Flow cytometry corroborated these results, showing 7.7% early apoptosis and 16.3% late apoptosis in boric acid-treated cells, versus minimal apoptotic activity in controls, with statistically significant increases in early and late apoptotic populations (p<0,01 and p<0,001, respectively). These results suggest that boric acid induces programmed cell death in AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells, highlighting its promise as a potential therapeutic option in gastric cancer therapy. The data presented here provides preliminary evidence for the anticancer potential of boric acid and supports ongoing investigations into the therapeutic potential of boron compounds.
Keywords : Apoptoz, Borik asit, Mide kanseri, Sitotoksisite

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL