Demethylation of RARβ2 Gene Promoter by Withania somnifera in HeLa Cell Line

An important molecular target for cancer therapy is the possible reactivation of tumor suppressor genes that have been silenced by promoter methylation. It was observed that the treatment of an adenocarcinoma cervical cancer cell line, HeLa with 20 µg/ml of the ethanolic extract of Withania somnifera for 6 days resulted in demethylation of promoter of RARβ2 gene. However, treatment with Ocimum sanctum and Azadirachta indica (20µg/ml) did not cause the reversal of hypermethylation after 6 days of treatment. This is the first report to show the reversal of hypermethylation of RARβ2 gene by Withania somnifera extract in a cervical cancer cell line.