The Cytotoxic Effects of Thymol as the Major Component of Trachyspermum ammi on Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells

Abstract

Natural phenolic compounds have inhibition effects on various malignancies. Thymol is one of these compounds present in several plant sources such as ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) fruits. In this study, thymol was evaluated for its potential cytotoxic activity as well as its effect on apoptotic gene expression in breast cancer cell line. We used the GC-MS technique to identify the essential oil constituents of ajowan. MCF-7 cells were treated by various concentrations of thymol and half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. In addition, morphological alterations and changes of P21, P53 and Mcl-1 gene expression in MCF-7 cells were investigated by microscopic examination and real-time RT-PCR assay. Data from MTT assay indicated that the IC₅₀ values of thymol on MCF-7 cells for 48 h and 72 h were 54 and 62 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, this compound significantly affected gene expressions of P53 and P21, but not Mcl-1. Thymol can induce the apoptosis process in MCF-7, and hence it can be considered an anticancer agent in the future.