Oregano demonstrates distinct tumour-suppressive effects in the breast carcinoma model.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

There has been a considerable interest in the identification of natural plant foods for developing effective agents against cancer. Thus, the anti-tumour effects of oregano in the in vivo and in vitro breast cancer model were evaluated.

METHODS:

Lyophilized oregano (ORE) was administered at two concentrations of 0.3 and 3 % through diet. The experiment was terminated 14 weeks after carcinogen administration. At autopsy, mammary tumours were removed and prepared for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, in vitro evaluation in MCF-7 cells was carried out.

RESULTS:

Low-dose ORE suppressed tumour frequency by 55.5 %, tumour incidence by 44 %, and tumour volume by 44.5 % compared to control animals. Analysis of rat tumour cells showed Ki67, VEGFR-2, CD24, and EpCAM expression decrease and caspase-3 expression increase after low-dose ORE treatment. High-dose ORE lengthened tumour latency by 12.5 days; moreover, Bcl-2, VEGFR-2, CD24, and EpCAM expression decrease and caspase-3 expression increase in carcinoma cells were observed. Histopathological analysis revealed a decrease in the ratio of high-/low-grade carcinomas in both treated groups. In vitro studies showed that ORE decreased survival and proliferation of MCF-7 cells. In ORE-treated MCF-7 cells, an increase in cells expressing sub-G 0/G 1 DNA content and an increase in the percentage of annexin V/PI positive MCF-7 cells were observed. In vitro, both caspase-dependent and possible non-caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways were found. The deactivation of anti-apoptotic activity of Bcl-2, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway were observed in the ORE-treated MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results demonstrate, for the first time, a distinct tumour-suppressive effect of oregano in the breast cancer model.

• Authors: Peter Kubatka, Martin Kello, Karol Kajo, Peter Kruzliak, Desanka Výbohová, Ján Mojžiš, Marián Adamkov, Silvia Fialová, Lucia Veizerová, Anthony Zulli, Martin Péč, Dagmar Statelová, Daniel Grančai, Dietrich Büsselberg
• Journal: European journal of nutrition (Eur J Nutr) Vol. 56 Issue 3 Pg. 1303-1316 (Apr 2017) ISSN: 1436-6215 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 26907089 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Plant Preparations

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Freeze Drying
• Humans
• MCF-7 Cells
• Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial (drug effects)
• Mitochondria (drug effects, metabolism)
• Origanum (chemistry)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Preparations (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley