Anti-proliferative Effect of Satureja sahandica Extraction by Co-administration of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Nanosheets on HepG2 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common solid tumor and the third cause of cancer death worldwide. Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a serious challenge in the treatment of HCC. To address this challenge, therefore, attempts have been made to develop novel anticancer agents by using medicinal plants and producing novel natural chemical compounds. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of the Satureja sahandica extraction combined with layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets on the HepG2 HCC cell line. Methods: The anti-proliferative effects of S. sahandica extraction and LDH nanosheets on HCC cell line HepG2 were investigated by adopting the MTT method. The morphological alterations, migration, and apoptosis rates were also evaluated in the treated cancer cells. The apoptosis-related genes mRNA expressions (BAX and BCL2) were examined by performing real-time PCR. Results: According to the study results, the S. sahandica extraction treatments significantly decreased the viability and proliferation of the HCC cell line HepG2. However, the anticancer activity of the S. sahandica extraction and LDH nanosheet combination was significantly less than its monotherapy. Various morphological alterations and apoptosis rates increased in the cancer cells. However, the migration rate of the cancer cells significantly decreased. Furthermore, the expressions of BAX and BCL2 genes were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Conclusions: In sum, the significant anti-proliferative activity of the S. sahandica extraction against the HCC cells was documented, which may have been due to the induction of apoptosis. However, LDH nanosheets decreased the anti-proliferative activity of S. sahandica extraction.