Abstract
Many studies point to the important role of sodium and potassium in many pathways, like cellular differentiation, division, homeostasis, electrolyte balances, pH regulation, nerve impulses, and apoptosis. Cancer cells keep more sodium in their cytoplasm compared to the normal cell, which may reveal that Na+ has a vital role in cancer cell homeostasis and their frequent division. Therefore, the ability of natural-based hydroxyapatite (HAp) to scavenging sodium from the cytoplasm will disrupt the internal homeostasis leading to activate apoptosis pathways. Where each hydroxyapatite molecule can scavenge three molecules of sodium but not potassium, this is due to the nuclear size difference between sodium and potassium. Accordingly, this study designed in hope to induce apoptosis by disruption of cellular homeostasis by scavenging internal sodium using natural-based hydroxyapatite (HAp). On the other hand, the passage of (HAp) composite across cell membrane facilitated by doping with lithium. Li doped to natural hydroxyapatite (Li-HAp) using wet impregnation method. The prepared sample characterized utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The response of HepG2 against HAp doped with 0.1% Li investigated. Results showed that the rate of apoptosis observed in treated liver cancer cells (HepG2), has increased as sodium decreased. Where, the internal sodium concentration reduced by one-third, while potassium concentration increased by one-sixth comparing to treated cells with HAp alone as Li alone. Therefore, the induction of apoptosis presented a significant raise when cells treated with Li-HAp. In the light of these observations, Li-HAp may have good chance to be not only the anticancer candidate drug but also can use in the regulation of some muscle contraction, nerve impulses and hypertension diseases as a candidate drug.