Inhibition activity of Artemisia vulgaris L. on Bhas 42 cell transformation

Several factors can contribute to cancer development. Various methods are in use for cancer treatment, although their complications can be a cause of concern. Artemisia vulgaris L. is a medicinal herb proposed for treating several diseases, including cancer. This study investigated the inhibition activity of A. vulgaris on Bhas 42, a cell used to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of chemicals due to its ability to recapitulate to some extent of the multi-stage cell transformation process. Ethanolic extract of A. vulgaris was used to examine cytotoxicity and transformation inhibition activity on Bhas 42. Bhas 42 cells were induced by a cancer stimulator, 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) or cancer promotor, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), with and without A.vulgaris at various concentrations and date of addition. A. vulgaris can inhibit Bhas 42 cell transformation due to its smaller proportion of the transformed cells than those treated with only MCA or TPA. The most effective transformed foci inhibition condition was selected for proteomic assay. The proteomic study results also showed that the proteins related to the regulation of cancer cells, such as cancer development, proliferation, migration, transformation, and invasion of A. vulgaris treated groups, were dysregulated. Studies on the effects of A. vulgaris extract showed its ability to inhibit the transformation to cancer cells. However, further studies are required to understand these mechanisms better.