The investigation of cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and apoptotic effects of satureja cilicica P.H. davis methanolic extracts

Species belonging to the genus Satureja have been used traditionally in the treatment of many diseases. Satureja cilicica, an endemic plant, is known as thyme or henna in Turkey, and it grows in Konya, Niğde, Adana, and Hatay. Also, the plant has antimicrobial and antifungal effects. In this study, the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of methanolic extracts obtained from S.cilicica and the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on colon cancer cell line were investigated. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test was used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of extracts, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test for antimicrobial effect and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test to determine cytotoxic effects. Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) evaluated expression levels of two pro-apoptotic gene regions. As a result, it was found that methanolic extract had antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, showed a cytotoxic effect on colorectal cancer cell line and increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic gene regions studied.