Anticancer - effectiveness of herbal aldehyde derivatives on breast cancer cells

Abstract: Background. Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the leading cancer in women since 2020. Projections indicate a significant increase in new cases and deaths by 2040. There is ongoing research to identify new therapeutic targets and explore their potential for breast cancer treatment. Herbal aldehyde derivatives have demonstrated effects on apoptosis and proliferation in various cancer cell types, although the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate therapeutic potential of herbal aldehyde derivatives in breast cancer through in vitro experiments.

Methods. Gene expression in breast cancer cell lines (BT474, HS-578T, and MCF7) was analyzed using qRT-PCR after treatment with eight herbal aldehyde derivatives (2-Bornanone, Heptanal, Alpha-Hexylcinnamaldehyde, Amylcinnamaldehyde, 2 – Methylundecanal, Octanal, Dodecanal, and Cinnamaldehyde). IC50 values for Alpha – Hexylcinnamaldehyde, Amylcinnamaldehyde, and Cinnamaldehyde were determined using the MTT assay. A comprehensive gene expression analysis targeting a broader range of cellular markers was performed using qRT-PCR. Lastly, protein isolation, Western Blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry techniques were employed to investigate cellular responses further.

Results. Cinnamaldehyde showed the highest number of significant effects, downregulating 7 genes in BT474, 7 genes in HS-578T, and 10 genes in MCF7. Amylcinnamaldehyde had no significant effect in BT474 but downregulated Ki67 in HS-578T and 3 genes in MCF7. Alpha- Hexylcinnamaldehyde led to significant downregulation of PCNA in BT474, 3 genes in HS- 578T, and 6 genes in MCF7. Notably, MCF7 exhibited the most significant effects, with 19 genes downregulated after treatment with all three substances. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the downregulation of PCNA supporting the findings from gene expression analysis.

Discussion. Cinnamaldehyde demonstrates promise for breast cancer therapy, as it exhibited the highest number of significant effects on gene expression related to anti-proliferation, cell cycle inhibition, modulation of signaling pathways, and downregulation of hormone receptors. However, contrasting results were observed at the protein level, including downregulation of OR2J3 in the HS-578T and MCF7 cell lines, while upregulation was observed in BT474. This discrepancy between the cell lines and the gene expression findings presents an intriguing research opportunity to explore the underlying mechanisms in future studies. Nonetheless, the immunohistochemistry results provide additional support for the findings from gene expression analysis

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Universität Freiburg, Dissertation, 2024

Classification and Topics

• Keyword: Brustkrebs ; Krebs

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Freiburg
• (who): Universität
• (when): 2024
• Creator: Gundarova, Julija
• Contributor: Erbes, Thalia ; Bronsert, Peter ; Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Medizinische Fakultät

Further information

• DOI: 10.6094/UNIFR/257460
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2574601
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:21 AM CEST