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1- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. & Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
3- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
4- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
5- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. , shahram.miraghaee@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (405 Views)
Background & Objective:  Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide. The majority of CRC-related fatalities are attributed to metastatic disease, which remains the leading cause of mortality in affected patients. Ziziphora clinopodioides (family Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant known to contain bioactive compounds such as thymol, carvacrol, rosmarinic acid, and 1,8-cineole, which have been reported to exhibit antioxidant and anticancer activities. This study aimed to investigate the antimetastatic and cytotoxic effects of Z. clinopodioides extract on human CRC cells (SW742).
 Materials & Methods:  A hydroethanolic extract of Z. clinopodioides was obtained using a 70% ethanol solution. The effects of the extract on cell viability were examined through the MTT assay, while cytotoxicity was evaluated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Cellular migratory capacity, invasive behavior, and adhesive properties were investigated using wound-healing (scratch), transwell invasion, and gelatin-based adhesion assays, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, uPA, and uPAR were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, with GAPDH serving as the internal reference gene.
Results:  Treatment with the extract reduced cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 760.59 ± 32.45, 395.16 ± 12.85, 241.87 ± 27.77, and 110.05 ± 11.05 µg/ml at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively). The extract significantly inhibited cell migration, invasion, and adhesion (p < 0.05). Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, uPA, and uPAR decreased, while TIMP-2 expression increased significantly.
Conclusion:  The hydroalcoholic extract of Z. clinopodioides demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxic and antimetastatic effects on CRC cells.
     
Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Life Science
Received: 2025/08/3 | Accepted: 2026/08/16

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