Anti-inflammatory and Apoptotic Effects of Levisticum Officinale Koch Extracts on HT-29 and Caco-2 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Lines

Sep 21, 2026

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Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and standard therapies can produce significant side effects, driving interest in alternative treatments. This study evaluated Levisticum officinale Koch (lovage) extracts for apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity in HT-29 and Caco-2 human colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Extracts were prepared via maceration using ethanol, dichloromethane, petroleum, and residues, then assessed using the MTT assay for IC50 values. Inflammatory gene expression (IKKb, IKKa, and REIB) was measured by real-time PCR, while COX-2 levels were analyzed by western blot. The dichloromethane extract showed high cytotoxicity, reduced inflammatory markers and COX-2 expression, and increased caspase-3 and the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio, supporting anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Rationale for alternative therapies

Medicinal herbs and anticancer mechanisms

Levisticum officinale (lovage) overview

[www.salviapub.com](www.salviapub.com) Received Revised Accepted 2024-02-06 2024-02-17 2024-03-02 Anti-inflammatory andApoptotic Effects of Levisticum Officinale Koch Extracts on HT 29 and Caco-2 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Lines Marzieh Lotfian Sargazi 1􀀍 , Zahra Miri Karam 2, Ali Shahraki 3, Mahboobeh Raeiszadeh 4, Mohammad Javad Rezazadeh Khabaz 5, Abolfazl Yari 6 1 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran 4 Herbal and traditional medicines research center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, kerman, Iran 5 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran 6 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer is among the deadliest cancers in the world. Due to the occurrence of side effects related to current standard therapy, researchers are seeking better alternative treatments. For many years, herbs have been a promising source for discovering therapeutic compounds. Therefore, the primary objective of this research was to examine the distinctive apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by Levisticum officinale Koch (lovage) on HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines. Materials and Methods: The maceration method was used to prepare different extracts (ethanol, dichloromethane, petroleum, and residues) from the plant. These extracts were then tested on two colon cancer cell lines-HT-29 and Caco-2 - using the MTT assay to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. In addition, we evaluated the expression levels of several inflammatory genes (IKKb, IKKa, and REIB) using real-time PCR. We also assessed Cox-2 protein expression using western blot analysis. The western blot was also used to analyze apoptosis-related proteins, including Caspase-3, BAX, and Bcl-2 . Results: The dichloromethane extract of Levisticum officin (DELO) exhibited a high cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 and HT-29 cell lines, with IC50 values of 106.0±2 µg/mL in HT-29 cells and 175.3±4 µg/mL in Caco-2 cells after 72 hours. None of the lovage extracts showed a significant cytotoxic effect on non-cancerous cells (3T3 cell line) . Furthermore, the group treated with DELO showed a lower expression level of inflammatory genes and COX-2 protein compared to the control group. Notably, treatment with DELO resulted in an increase in Caspase-3 protein and BAX/Bcl-2 ratio in both HT-29 and Caco-2 cells. Conclusion: According to this study, DELO has the potential to act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent. Further research on the compounds present in DELO and their effect on various signaling pathways could help in the development of new drugs for diseases where inflammation or cells escape from apoptosis play a crucial role.[GMJ.2024;13:e3341] DOI: 10.31661/gmj.v13i.3341 Keywords: Colorectal Cancer; Levisticum Officinale Koch; Lovage; Apoptosis; Anti-cancer; Anti-inflammation GMJ Copyright© 2024, Galen Medical Journal. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ([http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) [Email:gmj@salviapub.com](Email:gmj@salviapub.com) 􀀍 Correspondence to: Marzieh Lotfian Sargazi, Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Telephone Number: +983432263983 [Email Address: mar.lotfian@gmail.com](Email Address: mar.lotfian@gmail.com) Lotfian Sargazi M, et al. Effects of L. Officinal Extracts on Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Lines Int

FAQs

What was the main objective of the study?

To determine the apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties of Levisticum officinale Koch extracts on HT-29 and Caco-2 colorectal carcinoma cell lines.

How were the lovage extracts prepared and tested?

Extracts were prepared by maceration (ethanol, dichloromethane, petroleum, and residues) and tested on HT-29 and Caco-2 using the MTT assay to obtain IC50 values. Inflammatory gene and protein markers were further measured by real-time PCR and western blot.

What were the key findings for the dichloromethane extract (DELO)?

DELO showed high cytotoxic effects on both cancer cell lines while not showing significant cytotoxicity in the non-cancerous 3T3 cell line. It also lowered inflammatory gene expression and COX-2 protein and promoted apoptosis markers, including caspase-3 and an increased BAX/Bcl-2 ratio.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Asher