Achillea santolina and Raphanus sativus extracts downregulated the expression of the developmental genes NOTCH1, SIX1 and WNT1 in colon and breast cancer cell lines.

Background: Although anticancer treatment with chemotherapy is an effective approach, the development of cancer stem cells is regulated by several genes, including NOTCH1 , SIX1 , and WNT1 . Sowe have recently found that treatment of Caco2, HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines with Achillea santolina or Raphanus sativus extracts revealed an antitumor effect. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of these natural extracts on the expression of genes NOTCH1, SIX1 and WNT1 in Caco2 and MCF-7 cell lines. Methods: & Results Colon adenocarcinoma (Caco2), breast cancer (MCF-7) and normal amniotic cell line (WISH) were treated with 110 IC 50 concentrations of Achillea santolina and Raphanus sativus extracts and compared to the 110 IC 50 concentration of cisplatin as a reference chemotherapy drug. After 72 hours of treatment, total RNA was extracted and then cDNA was prepared for reverse transcriptase PCR of NOCH1 , WNT1 , and SIX1 . The R. sativus treatment significantly decreased NOTCH1 expression in MCF7 and Caco2 cell lines, while it decreased SIX1 gene expression in Caco2 cell lines and WNT1 in MCF7 cell lines. On the other hand, A. santolina extract observably decreased the WNT1 gene expression in the MCF7 cell line. Conclusion: The crude extract of R. sativus decreased the developmental gene expression of NOTCH1, SIX1 in Caco2 cell lines as well as on NOTCH1 and WNT1 in MCF7 cell lines more than cisplatin chemotherapy. Similarly, the A. santolina crude extract decreases the expression of WNT1 in the MCF7 cell line more than cisplatin chemotherapy.