Evaluation of the Effect of Chloroform and water Extract of Satureja Khuzestanica on the Expression of BCL2 and BAX in Gastric Cancer Cells line

Abstract

Objective: Gastric cancer is a  complex disease. Natural antioxidant sources without toxic side effects are suitable for treating and managing diseases such as cancer. Satureja khuzestanica (S. khuzestanica) is an endemic plant in the southern areas of Iran. Despite numerous articles published about this plant, a limited number of studies have been conducted on its anti-cancer effects. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate this plant’s cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on the gastric cancer cell line.

 Methods: Antimicrobial activities of chloroform and water extracts were screened against pathogenic bacteria (Helicobacter pylori). The cytotoxicity effect of extracts was evaluated using an MTT assay on gastric cancer cell lines (AGS and KATO III) and normal gingival fibroblast cells. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was evaluated using Real-Time-PCR. Finally, all data were analyzed by the REST software.

 Results: Both extracts showed good inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, extracts showed cytotoxic activity against gastric cancer cell lines. The treatment of S. khuzestanica cells increases and decreases the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 apoptotic genes, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, in HGF cells, there were no cytotoxic effects and apoptosis induction triggered by the extracts.

 Conclusion: The chloroform extract had more cytotoxic and apoptotic effects than the water extract. The extracts could have an anti‑cancer and apoptotic effect on the gastric cancer cell line.