Anticancer properties of Cirsium vulgare (Savi) ten. Dry extracts from different plant parts and phenological stages of Raw material collection

This study explores the anticancer potential of Cirsium vulgare dry extracts in human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and gastric carcinoma (KATO III) cell lines using both traditional 2D monolayer models and advanced 3D spheroid systems. Cell viability was assessed via the MTT assay, while the influence on cell migration was evaluated using a wound-healing assay. In 3D cultures, extract activity was further examined through magnetic 3D bioprinting to monitor spheroid growth dynamics, and viability of cells in spheroids was assessed by the WST-1 assay. Among the tested extracts, those derived from C. vulgare inflorescences (U1) and roots (U6, U7, U8, U9) demonstrated higher anticancer activity. The inflorescence extract (U1) exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against both cancer cell lines, while root-derived extracts, particularly U7, showed potent suppression of HT-29 cell migration, achieving the most significant reduction in wound closure after 36 h (p < 0.05) at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL. In spheroid models, U1 and U8 extracts reduced HT-29 cancer cell viability by 53.3-77.9% and 56.7-81.5%, respectively, and U1 emerged as the most effective inhibitor of spheroid growth, reducing diameter by 7-10%, compared to untreated controls. These findings underscore the promising anticancer activity of C. vulgare extracts, particularly U1 and U8, highlighting their potential as innovative therapeutic candidates for treating colorectal and gastric cancers. Further investigations are warranted to refine their application in oncological research.