Cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation response of Melissa officinalis and Thymus vulgaris in SW480 colon cancer cells

Abstract

The creation of novel therapeutic approaches and more potent chemotherapeutic agents is the current emphasis of research into cancer therapy. About 60% of drugs used for cancer treatment are isolated from natural products, and the plant kingdom has been the most important resource. The study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Melissa officinalis L. (MO) and Thymus vulgaris L. (TV) extracts against SW480 cell lines, to elucidate cell death mechanisms and to determine their effect on inflammation. The effect of MO and TV on cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay in SW480 cell line. After MO and TV treatment, apoptosis was evaluated by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. An indirect peroxidase technique for immunocytochemical analysis of related proteins such as IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-kB was done. Significant differences in cell viability were observed 24 hours after MO and TV application in the cell line. In terms of TUNEL+ apoptotic cells, there was a statistically significant difference between the control group and the IC50 group in SW480 cell lines treated with both MO and TV. IL-6 and TNF-α, expression levels were found to be significantly lower after MO and TV administration in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas NF-kB expression was upregulated. Our findings show that it is effective on inflammation and signaling pathways that control the cell cycle and apoptosis, but more studies are needed to determine what mechanistic effect the active components of these plants have.