Pro-apoptotic and anti-angiogenic properties of the α /β -thujone fraction from Thuja occidentalis on glioblastoma cells

The most aggressive type of brain tumor is glioblastoma multiforme, which to date remains incurable. Thuja occidentalis is used in homeopathy for the treatment of cancer, however, its mechanism of action remains unknown. We set out to study the effects of thujone fractions of Thuja on glioblastoma using in vitro and in vivo models. We found that the α/ β -thujone fraction decrease the cell viability and exhibit a potent anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects in vitro. In vivo assays showed that α /β -thujone promotes the regression of neoplasia and inhibits the angiogenic markers VEGF, Ang-4 and CD31 into the tumor.