Navel Orange Peel Oil Slows Triple Negative Breast Cancer Growth and Spread

Jim Crocker
16th June, 2024

Navel Orange Peel Oil Slows Triple Negative Breast Cancer Growth and Spread

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine found that navel orange peel essential oil (NOPEO) can suppress the growth of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells
  • NOPEO treatment led to cell cycle arrest and increased cell death in TNBC cells
  • NOPEO significantly inhibited the mobility of TNBC cells, reducing their potential to spread
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is known for its aggressive nature and high recurrence rate, making it one of the most challenging forms of breast cancer to treat. Conventional treatments primarily involve cytotoxic chemotherapy, especially anthracyclines and taxanes, which remain the mainstay despite ongoing research into novel therapeutic agents[2]. Recent research from Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine has explored the potential of navel orange peel essential oil (NOPEO) as a novel anti-cancer agent for TNBC[1]. The study involved treating TNBC cells with varying concentrations of NOPEO and conducting a series of experiments to observe changes in cell growth and progression. The primary methods included the MTT assay to assess cell proliferation, FACS analysis to evaluate cell cycle and apoptosis, and scratch wound assay to study cell migration. Additionally, Western blotting and qPCR were employed to examine protein and mRNA expression, while RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to identify altered genes and potential signaling pathways. The results were promising. NOPEO demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent suppression of TNBC cell growth. Specifically, the treated cells showed an increased percentage of G2/M-phase cells, indicating cell cycle arrest. This was further supported by a decrease in the protein levels of CyclinB1 and CyclinD1, which are crucial for cell cycle progression. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells increased following NOPEO treatment, suggesting that the essential oil induces cell death in TNBC cells. Migration assays revealed that NOPEO significantly inhibited the mobility of TNBC cells, which is crucial since metastasis is a primary concern in aggressive cancers like TNBC. RNA-seq analysis identified 1376 up-regulated and 1335 down-regulated genes post-treatment. Pathway analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes were associated with the MAPK, Jak/stat, and FoxQ signaling pathways, which are known to play roles in cell proliferation, survival, and migration. These findings suggest that NOPEO could suppress TNBC growth and migration, potentially through the MAPK and Jak/stat signaling pathways. This aligns with earlier research emphasizing the need for new therapeutic strategies in TNBC treatment. The study's results provide a theoretical basis for the development of NOPEO as a natural chemotherapeutic agent for TNBC, offering a potential new avenue for treatment alongside existing therapies[2]. In conclusion, the research conducted by Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine highlights the potential of NOPEO as an anti-cancer agent for TNBC. While conventional treatments remain essential, the introduction of natural products like NOPEO could enhance the therapeutic landscape for TNBC, providing new hope for patients battling this aggressive cancer.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Navel orange peel essential oil inhibits the growth and progression of triple negative breast cancer.

Published 14th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04525-y

Related Studies

2) Current Treatment Landscape for Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041524


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