Satureja bachtiarica Induces Cancer Cell Death in Breast and Glioblastoma Cancer in 2D/3D Models and Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Sep 24, 2026

Overcoming drug resistance and specifically targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) are critical challenges in improving cancer therapy. This study evaluates Satureja bachtiarica, an endemic medicinal plant, for suppressing cancer and cancer stem cells in glioblastoma and breast cancer. Effects on MDAMB-231 and U87-MG cell viability, migration, invasion, and clonogenic capacity were tested in both 2D and 3D culture systems, including mammospheres.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Cancer drug resistance and CSCs

Rationale for 2D vs 3D models

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

cells Article Satureja bachtiarica Induces Cancer Cell Death in Breast and Glioblastoma Cancer in 2D/3D Models and Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells Vajihe Azimian Zavareh 1, Shima Gharibi 1,2, Mahnaz Hosseini Rizi 1, Abdolhossein Nekookar 1, Hossein Mirhendi 1,3, Mehdi Rahimmalek 4,5, * and Antoni Szumny 5, * Citation: Zavareh, V.A.; Gharibi, S.; Hosseini Rizi, M.; Nekookar, A.; Mirhendi, H.; Rahimmalek, M.; Szumny, A. Satureja bachtiarica Induces Cancer Cell Death in Breast and Glioblastoma Cancer in 2D/3D Models and Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2023, 12, 2713 . [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)cells12232713 Academic Editor: Natália Cruz-Martins Received: 28 August 2023 Revised: 11 November 2023 Accepted: 20 November 2023 Published: 26 November 2023 Correction Statement: This article has been republished with a minor change. The change does not affect the scientific content of the article and further details are available within the backmatter of the website version of this article. Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 Core Research Facilities (CRF), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran; [v.azimian@mail.mui.ac.ir](v.azimian@mail.mui.ac.ir) (V.A.Z.); [s.gharibi@mail.mui.ac.ir](s.gharibi@mail.mui.ac.ir) (S.G.); [mahnaz.h1392@gmail.com](mahnaz.h1392@gmail.com) (M.H.R.); [nekookar.vet@gmail.com](nekookar.vet@gmail.com) (A.N.); [s.h.mirhendi@gmail.com](s.h.mirhendi@gmail.com) (H.M.) 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland 3 Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran 4 Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran 5 Department of Food Chemistry and Biocatalysis, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland * [Correspondence: mrahimmalek@iut.ac.ir](Correspondence: mrahimmalek@iut.ac.ir) (M.R.); [antoni.szumny@upwr.edu.pl](antoni.szumny@upwr.edu.pl) (A.S.) Abstract: Overcoming drug resistance and specifically targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) are critical challenges in improving cancer therapy. Nowadays, the use of novel and native medicinal plants can provide new sources for further investigations for this purpose. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of S. bachtiarica, an endemic plant with diverse medicinal applications, in suppressing and targeting cancer and cancer stem cells in glioblastoma and breast cancer. The effect of S. bachtiarica on viability, migration, invasion, and clonogenic potential of MDAMB-231 and U87-MG cells was assessed in both two-and three-dimensional cell culture models. Additionally, we evaluated its effects on the self-renewal capacity of mammospheres. The experimental outcomes indicated that S. bachtiarica decreased the viability and growth rate of cells and spheroids by inducing apoptosis and inhibited colony formation, migration, and invasion of cells and spheroids. Additionally, colony and sphere-forming ability, as well as the expression of genes associated with EMT and stemness were reduced in mammospheres treated with S. bachtiarica. In conclusion, this study provided valuable insights into the anti-cancer effects of S. bachtiarica, particularly in relation to breast CSCs. Therefore, S. bachtiarica may be a potential adjuvant for the treatment of cancer. Keywords: cancer stem cells; Satureja bachtiarica; medicinal plants; spheroid; breast cancer; glioblastoma 1. Introduction Can

FAQs

What is the main research goal of this study?

To assess whether Satureja bachtiarica can suppress cancer and target cancer stem cells in glioblastoma and breast cancer.

Which experimental models were used to evaluate the plant’s effects?

The study used both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models, including sphere culture and mammospheres.

What outcomes did Satureja bachtiarica produce on cancer cells and spheroids?

It decreased viability and growth rate by inducing apoptosis, inhibited colony formation, migration, and invasion, and reduced colony/sphere-forming ability and gene expression linked to EMT and stemness.

Sep 24, 2026

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