Comparison of the cytotoxic effects of different Origanum majorana extracts on lung cancer cells

The determination that compounds used for chemotherapeutic purposes in cancer treatment cause cytotoxic effects on healthy cells as well as target cells has led researchers to work on reducing treatment-related toxicity, and accordingly, research on the effectiveness of herbal resources in cancer treatment has gained importance. In our study, ethanol, methanol and chloroform extracts were obtained from the aboveground parts of Origanum majorana L. (O. majorana) and their cytotoxic effects on A-549 cells (non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)) were investigated using MTT test. Additionally, the free radical scavenging activities of extracts were demonstrated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test. It has been shown that cytotoxic effects of extracts increased depending on concentrations on A-549 cells. It was determined that methanol, ethanol and chloroform extracts of O. majorana caused an increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and apoptotic enzyme, caspase-3 activity, compared to the control. It has been demonstrated that methanol, ethanol, and chloroform extracts of O. majorana had membrane damaging and apoptotic effects on A-549.