Aqueous Extract of Origanum majorana at Low Temperature (0°C) Promotes Mitochondrial Fusion and Contributes to Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

2 Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

3 King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

4 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia.

5 Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

6 Royal commission hospital, Pharmacy Department, Saudi Arabia.

7 Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Marjoram plants have varied pharmacological properties because they contain antioxidants. In the present study, to evaluate the effect of Origanum majorana, gathered from Abha, Saudi Arabia, on the growth of human breast cancer cells using MCF7. Fresh aerial parts from Origanum majorana were extracted at a low temperature (0 ℃/6 hours). Human MCF7 breast cancer cells were then treated with 4 separate fluctuated concentrations of 0, 50, 150, 200 and 350 µg/mL for 24 and 48 hours. The findings showed that Origanum majorana aqueous extract contained absolute phenolic content (TPC) was 58.24 mg equivalent/g DW, and the complete flavonoid content (TFC) 35.31 mg GAE equivalent/g DW in the Origanum majorana aqueous extract. The endurance of MCF7 cells after incubation with aqueous extract diminished, indicating that Origanum majorana is tumour cell selective. Origanum majorana extract increased the mRNA Expression of Apoptotic Genes in MCF7. Majorana aqueous extract expanded the activity of Caspase-7 action specifically at higher concentrations, 150, 200, and 350 µg/ml. Our findings indicate that Origanum majorana could induce apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. This is the first study that provides a basis for the use of aqueous Origanum majorana extracted at low temperature (0 °C/6 hours) as more effective anticancer treatment.

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