Aqueous Extract of Origanum majorana at Low Temperature (0°C) Promotes Mitochondrial Fusion and Contributes to Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVE: Marjoram plants have varied pharmacological properties because they contain antioxidants. In the present study, the effect of Origanum majorana, gathered from Abha, Saudi Arabia, was evaluated on the growth of MCF7 breast cancer cells. METHODS: Fresh aerial parts from Origanum majorana were extracted at a low temperature (0 (O)C/6 hours). MCF7 human breast cancer cells were then treated with 4 separate fluctuated concentrations of 0, 50, 150, 200 and 350 µg/mL for 24 and 48 hours. RESULTS: The findings showed that Origanum majorana aqueous extract contained absolute phenolic content (TPC) of 58.24 mg equivalent/g DW, and the complete flavonoid content (TFC) of 35.31 mg GAE equivalent/g DW. The endurance of MCF7 cells after incubation with aqueous extract diminished, indicating that Origanum majorana is tumour cell selective. Origanum majorana extract increased the mRNA expression of apoptotic genes in MCF7. The majorana aqueous extract expanded the activity of Caspase-7 action specifically at higher concentrations of 150, 200, and 350 µg/ml. Our findings indicate that Origanum majorana could induce apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. CONCLUSION: The aqueous Origanum majorana extracted at low temperature (0 °C/6 hours) can be as a anti-cancer treatment agent if further studies wanrents support our result.