Radioiodinated Ginger Compounds (6-gingerol and 6-shogaol) and Incorporation Assays on Breast Cancer Cells

Background: 6-Gingerol (6G) and 6-Shogaol (6S) are the main active components of ginger. 6-Gingerol is known for its anti-metastatic and anti-invasive pharmacological activities on cancer cells, besides, 6-Shogaol also inhibits breast cancer cell invasion. Objective: In this study, radioiodination (¹³¹I) of 6G and 6S was aimed. Additionally, it is aimed to monitor their incorporation behavior on breast cancer cell lines. Methods: 6-Gingerol was isolated from the fresh ginger-roots extract, additionally, dehydrated to obtain 6-Shogaol. 6G and 6S were radioiodinated using iodogen method. Quality control studies of radioiodinated ginger compounds (6G and 6S) were performed by thin layer radio-chromatography. In vitro studies of radioiodinated ginger compounds on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were performed with incorporation assays. Results: 6-Gingerol and 6-Shogaol were radioiodinated (¹³¹I-6G and ¹³¹I-6S) in high yields over 95%. ¹³¹I-6S demonstrated higher incorporation values than ¹³¹I-6G on MDA-MB-231 cells. Incorporation behavior of ¹³¹I-6G and ¹³¹I-6S was similar to MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: It has been observed that ginger compounds were radioiodinated successfully and ¹³¹I-6S have a noteworthy incorporation on MDA-MB-231 cells which is a known breast carcinoma cell line with highly invasive characteristics.