Antitumor effects of tanacetum balsamita essential oils by downregulation nrf-2 and mmp-9 in breast cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate antitumor capacity of different Tanacetum balsamita essential oils by measuring apoptosis rate, MMP-9 concetration and Nrf-2 expression level in human MBA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The tested EOs expressed proapoptotic effects, significantly inhibited the MMP-9 concentration and down-regulated the expression level of Nrf-2. The obtained data suggest that the tested EOs exert considerable antitumor activity elevating apoptosis level and inhibiting the motility of tested cancer cells. The reduced levels of Nrf-2 expression suggest decreased defense potential for oxidative disturbances, which could be the major antitumor mechanism detected in the study.