In-Vitro Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Properties of Sutureja Khuzestanica on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line (MCF-7) and Its Synergic Effects with Anticancer Drug Vincristine

Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad (Marzeh Khuzestani in Persian) is an endemic plant that iswidely distributed in the southern part of Iran. Despite the number of papers published on thisplant, no one has focused on its anticancer effects. Therefore, the present study was designedto investigate the selective cytotoxic and anti-proliferative properties of satureja khuzestanicatotal extract (SKE). MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were used in this study. Cytotoxicityof the extract was determined using MTT and neutral red assaysafter 24 h treatment period.Biochemical markers of apoptosis (caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2) and cell proliferation (cyclin D1)were evaluated by immunoblotting. Vincristine was used to evaluate the synergic effect ofextract with an anticancer drug. The data showed that treatment of cells with SKE (150 and 200μg/mL for 24 h) significantly reduced cell viability, activated caspase 3 and increased Bax/Bcl2ratio. In addition, cyclin D1 expression was significantly decreased in the SKE-treated cells. Inaddition, concomitant treatment of the MCF-7 cells with SKE and vincristine produced a potentanti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect compared to extract or drug alone. In conclusion,satureja extract has a potential anti-cancer property against human breast cancer cells and itscombination with chemotherapeutic agent vincristine may induce cell death effectively and bea potent modality to treat this type of cancer.