Abstract:
Daucus carota (DC) is a herb used in folklore medicine in Lebanon to treat numerous diseases and infections including cancer. Previous studies were done on the aqueous and methanolic plant extract in order to assess its anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Recent studies in our labs have focused on assessing the anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effects of the oil extract and its fractions on various types of cancers in vivo and in vitro. This study aims to investigate the effect of DCO pentane-diethylether fraction on lung, skin, breast and glioblastoma cancer motility and metastasis. This was done through 2D, 3D and molecular assays. Upon treatment, a pronounced decrease in cancer cell motility was observed in the four cell lines used. The treatment also led to a decrease in cancer cell invasion and an increased cell adhesion. In addition, a decrease in CDC42 activation levels, and an increase in Rac activation were detected. The significance of this study, which demonstrated a crucial effect of the pentane-diethylether fraction on cancer motility and metastasis, is towards reaching a potential cancer therapy specifically targeting cancer motility and metastasis.
