Phytochemical Synergy Beyond Single Agents: Integrative Evaluation of 6-Gingerol, Piperine, and Their Fixed-Ratio Combination in HL-60 and MCF-7 Cancer Models

This thesis evaluates the anticancer potential of the ginger-derived compound 6-gingerol and the black-pepper alkaloid piperine, tested both individually and as a fixed 1:1 combination. Two representative cancer cell lines were used: HL-60 (acute myeloid leukaemia) and MCF-7 (ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer). Cell viability, apoptosis and expression of key mitochondrial/apoptotic genes were analysed to determine whether the combination produces a stronger (synergistic or at least additive) effect than the single agents. The findings indicate that, particularly in HL-60 cells, the gingerol–piperine mix induces marked loss of viability together with a pro-apoptotic shift (increased BAX, decreased BCL-2), supporting the idea of a low-toxicity phytochemical combination as an adjuvant option.