Proapoptotic and Anticancer Potentials of Thymus capitatus Essential Oil on Colon Cancer Stem Cells
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Date
2021
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Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS
The aim of this study was to investigate the proapoptotic activity of Thymus capitatus essential oil in either colon cancer stem (CD133þ
Colo-320) or nonstem (CD133– Colo-320) cells.
MATERIAL and METHODS
T. capitatus essential oil was obtained by water distillation and analyzed by GC–MS. Cancer stem cells (CD133þ Colo-320) were
obtained from the Colo-320 cells by the MiniMACS system. Proapoptotic activity of T. capitatus essential oil was investigated by immunocytochemistry using antibodies directed against caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling
(TUNEL) assay.
RESULTS
Caspase-3 immunoreactivity was significantly increased in 0.5% dilution T. capitatus essential oil-treated Colo-320 cells for 48 hours.
Moreover, the number of TUNEL positive cells was significantly higher in Colo-320 cells when compared with CD133þ and CD133– Colo320 cells.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that T. capitatus essential oil increases caspase-3 molecules, which play a crucial role in apoptosis. Interestingly, T. capitatus essential oil is found to be more effective in Colo-320 cells than CD133þ Colo-320 and CD133– Colo-320 cells in terms of apoptosis.