Anti-proliferative Effect of Satureja sahandica Extraction by Co-administration of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Nanosheets on HepG2 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common solid tumor and the third cause of cancer death worldwide. Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a serious challenge in the treatment of HCC. To address this challenge, therefore, attempts have been made to develop novel anticancer agents by using medicinal plants and producing novel natural chemical compounds. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of the Satureja sahandica extraction combined with layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets on the HepG2 HCC cell line. Methods: The anti-proliferative effects of S. sahandica extraction and LDH nanosheets on HCC cell line HepG2 were investigated by adopting the MTT method. The morphological alterations, migration, and apoptosis rates were also evaluated in the treated cancer cells. The apoptosis-related genes mRNA expressions (BAX and BCL2) were examined by performing real-time PCR. Results: According to the study results, the S. sahandica extraction treatments significantly decreased the viability and proliferation of the HCC cell line HepG2. However, the anticancer activity of the S. sahandica extraction and LDH nanosheet combination was significantly less than its monotherapy. Various morphological alterations and apoptosis rates increased in the cancer cells. However, the migration rate of the cancer cells significantly decreased. Furthermore, the expressions of BAX and BCL2 genes were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Conclusions: In sum, the significant anti-proliferative activity of the S. sahandica extraction against the HCC cells was documented, which may have been due to the induction of apoptosis. However, LDH nanosheets decreased the anti-proliferative activity of S. sahandica extraction.

Satureja bachtiarica Induces Cancer Cell Death in Breast and Glioblastoma Cancer in 2D/3D Models and Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells

“…The reduction in cell motility was accompanied by the downregulation of mesenchymal markers involved in EMT, such as CDH-2, Snail-1, and ZEB-1 (at mRNA level). In line with our results, Abdol et al indicated that S. sahandica extraction significantly decreased the migration of cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner [38]. Although there are few studies on the effect of the Satureja species on cancer cell migration and invasion, many researchers have studied the effect of polyphenolic components of this species on cell migration and invasion.…”

“…In addition, in another study, Esmaeili-Mahani et al reported that S. khuzestanica extract induced apoptosis and prevented cell division in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) [37]. Abdol et al also reported similar results in which S. sahandica treatment led to the induction of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines by regulation of apoptosis-related genes BAX and BCL2 [38]. So far, no study has reported the effect of the Satureja genus on the growth of cells in a 3D culture model; our data reveal for the first time that S. bachtiarica reduces the growth of spheroids compared to the control group.…”