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INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF

CancerGenetics

• The Potential of Linum usitatissimum extract in Breast Cancer Therapy: A Focus on Apoptosis Regulation

• Ehsan Zare Mehrjardi,¹ Hesamodin Abooli poor,² Mohadese Sadat Fani,³ Seyed Morteza Seifati,^4,*
  1. Department of Industrial Environmental and Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
  2. Department of Biology ,Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Ashkezar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar, Yazd, Iran.
  3. Department of Biology ,Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Ashkezar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar, Yazd, Iran.
  
  
  
• Introduction: Breast cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges worldwide, accounting for a substantial proportion of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women. Current treatment strategies, while effective in many cases, are often associated with severe side effects, drug resistance and recurrence. As a result, there is growing interest in alternative or complementary therapies, particularly those derived from natural compounds. Linum usitatissimum (flaxseed) is one such plant-based substance known for its rich content of lignans, omega-3 fatty acids and other bioactive components that have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties. This study explores the effects of Linum usitatissimum extract on the expression of key caspase genes (CASP3, CASP8 and CASP9) within the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. These caspases are integral to the process of apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, which is often dysregulated in cancer cells, leading to uncontrolled proliferation.
• Methods: In our study, MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of Linum usitatissimum extract, and changes in gene expression were evaluated using quantitative PCR (qPCR). The focus was on the CASP3, CASP8 and CASP9 genes, which are known to play pivotal roles in the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis. CASP3 is considered the executioner caspase, while CASP9 is involved in the intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway and CASP8 is associated with the extrinsic (death receptor-mediated) pathway.
• Results: The data showed a statistically significant increase in the expression of CASP3 (p = 0.0112) and CASP9 (p = 0.0093) following treatment with Linum usitatissimum extract, suggesting that the extract induces apoptosis through the activation of these pathways. CASP3, being the primary executioner caspase, is essential for the cleavage of various cellular components leading to cell death. CASP9, activated by mitochondrial signals, further supports the role of Linum usitatissimum in triggering intrinsic apoptotic mechanisms. In contrast, the upregulation of CASP8, while observed, did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0831), indicating that the extrinsic apoptotic pathway might not be as strongly involved in the extract's mechanism of action.
• Conclusion: These findings suggest that Linum usitatissimum may exert its anti-cancer effects primarily through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, enhancing the activation of CASP3 and CASP9 in MCF-7 cells. This mode of action could make it a valuable adjuvant in breast cancer therapy, particularly in cases where conventional treatments fail to induce sufficient apoptosis or are limited by toxicity and resistance. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the molecular pathways affected by Linum usitatissimum and to confirm its potential therapeutic benefits in vivo. This research underscores the promise of plant-based compounds in cancer therapy and suggests that Linum usitatissimum may contribute to novel, less toxic treatment strategies for breast cancer.
• Keywords: Linum usitatissimum, Caspase genes, MCF-7 cells, Apoptosis regulation, Breast cancer therapy.