The Effect of Dracocephalum kotschyi Alcoholic Extract on the BCL2 and BAX Expression in SKBR3 Cell Line

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among females worldwide, and its incidence is growing among Iranian women. Also, Iranian patients with breast cancer are younger than their Western counterparts. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Dracocephalum kotschyi alcoholic extract on cell proliferation and viability, as well as the expression level of BCL2 and BAX genes in breast cancer cell lines. Dracocephalum kotschyi belongs to the Labiatae family, a wildflower that has long been used in Iranian traditional medicine.

In this experimental research, the SKBR3 cell line was selected for treatment with the Dracocephalum kotschyi alcoholic extract. Cell proliferation and cell viability were evaluated in the presence of different concentrations of the Dracocephalum kotschyi alcoholic extract (10, 50, 100, and 500 µg/mL) using MTT-method. Additionally, the impact of the Dracocephalum kotschyi alcoholic extract on the expression of BCL2 and BAX genes was assessed using a quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction.

The obtained results indicated the anticancer characteristics of Dracocephalum kotschyi alcoholic extract (10, 50, 100, and 500 µg/mL) on cell proliferation and cell viability. In the presence of Dracocephalum kotschyi alcoholic extract, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of SKBR3 cells was 102.1 at 24 h. Moreover, Dracocephalum kotschyi alcoholic extract decreased the expression of BCL2 and increased the expression of BAX.

Dracocephalum kotschyi holds promises for designing anticancer medicines and investigations on breast cancer.