The Antitumoral Activity of Zataria Multiflora Methanolic Extract on Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cell Line; NB4

Background & Objective:  Zataria multiflora is a plant that belongs to Laminaceae family. It is traditionally believed to have several therapeutic effects. Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukemia with dominancy of promyelocytes in bone marrow and blood stream. The aim of this study is to investigate the anticancer effects of Z. multiflora extract on acute promyelocytic leukemia cell lines. Materials & Methods:  Viability of NB4 cells was determined by trypane blue test after treatment with 20, 40 and 80µg/mL of Z. multiflora extract for 24 hours. Then, the metabolic activity of cells was determined by MTT assay after 24 hours of treatment with 80 µg/mL Z. multiflora. Finally, Real-time PCR was employed to study the effect of Z. multiflora extract on the expression of hTERT gene. Results:  Z. multiflora extract decreased the viability of NB4 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Metabolic activity of NB4 cells significantly decreased following treatment with 80 µg/mL Z. multiflora. Gene expression analysis showed 59%±4% decrease in the expression of hTERT gene after treatment with 80 µg/mL of Z. multiflora. Conclusion:  Z. multiflora extract significantly decreased the viability and metabolic activity of NB4 cells. It also led to significant downregulation of hTERT gene compared to the control group. Therefore, Z. multiflora methanolic extract potentially has anticancer effect on acute promyelocytic leukemia cells through down regulation of hTERT. Further investigations are needed to explore other mechanisms of actions and the active ingredients.