Uncontrolled proliferation and death resistance are two hallmarks of cancer cells. Breast cancer (BC) has the highest incidence and mortality in women worldwide and national; subtype triple negative (TN) is the most aggressive type because it is not susceptible to conventional therapy. Since 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved use of alternative treatments as adjuvants based on evidence of its benefits. Since then, different natural alternatives to treat cancer have been studied, including Origanum vulgare (Ov) and carvacrol (Crv), one of its main compounds. However, cytotoxic potential of these products has not been studied in this subtype of BC. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of Ov and Crv on TN BC cell line (HCC-70). Lethal dose 50 was determined on control cell line HaCaT through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays with Ov and Crv stimulus in different doses and concentrations; the found dose was used on the HCC-70 cell line. The results were evaluated by ANOVA, finding that Ov reduced the proliferation by 94.05% ± 0.11 (p < 0.001) and Crv by 93.43% ± 0.21 (p < 0.001) compared to untreated cells. This suggests that both Ov and Crv present a powerful cytotoxic effect against the HCC-70 cell line and are promising options that should receive further study.

Background/Objectives: The search for natural alternatives in breast cancer (BC) management has spurred interest in plant-derived extracts, particularly oregano variants and their bioactive compound carvacrol (Cv). However, Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) infusion (MoI) remains unexplored. This study aimed to chemically characterize MoI and compare its anticancer effects with Cv across BC cell lines, including aggressive triple-negative (TN) subtypes. Methods: MoI was analyzed for composition, antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, total phenols/flavonoids), and phytochemical profile (FTIR, HPLC). Anticancer activity was assessed via MTT and LDH assays. Results: MoI exhibits strong antioxidant capacity and concentration-dependent antiproliferative effects, with IC50 values ranging from 0.08 to 0.18 mg/mL across BC lines, significantly higher (i.e., less cytotoxic) than Cv IC50 of 121–211 µM. Importantly, MoI displayed markedly lower cytotoxicity toward non-cancerous cells (IC50 0.18 mg/mL) compared to Cv (IC50 110 µM). Conclusions: While both agents reduced metabolic activity, Cv induced a more acute suppression. These findings position MoI as a promising, selective candidate for BC therapy, particularly for poor-prognosis subtypes like TN BC, warranting further mechanistic investigation.

The investigation of alternatives for the management of breast cancer (BC), has led to the study of extracts of plant origin and their compounds, within these, the extracts of oregano variants and carvacrol (Cv) have shown promising results, however, the Mexican oregano (L. graveolens) infusion (MoI) has not been studied, so the aims of this work are; to characterize the plant used, and to compare against Cv, the impact on the metabolism and cytotoxicity of BC cell lines. Within the characterization of the plant, moisture, ash, protein, available carbohydrates, ethereal extraction and dietary fiber were determined, additionally, for the MoI characterization antioxidant capacity analysis; ABTS, DPPH, phenols, flavonoids and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were carried, as well as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to evaluate the composition of the extract, for anticancer activity 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were performed. The results demonstrated that MoI possesses potent antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect against BC cell lines, with lower cytotoxicity on non-cancer cells compared to Cv. However, both the infusion and Cv caused a reduction in cell metabolism, with Cv having the most acute effect. Thus, the present investigation provides evidence on the efficacy of these alternative treatments in BC cell lines, including aggressive subtypes such as triple negative (TN).

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer (BC), particularly aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative TNBC, remains a significant clinical challenge due to treatment resistance and therapeutic toxicity. This study evaluated the antitumor potential, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory effect of Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) infusion (MoI) and its bioactive constituent, carvacrol (Cv), in diverse BC cell lines (MCF-7, HCC-1954, and MDA-MB-231). Methods: Cellular responses were assessed by quantifying apoptosis, profiling cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), and analyzing the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD2, GPX1) and their enzymatic activities. Results: Cv exhibited potent, subtype-independent pro-apoptotic activity, while MoI demonstrated significant efficacy with attenuated cytotoxicity in non-tumoral HaCaT cells. Both treatments mediated complex modification of cytokine signaling, characterized by reduction in the extracellular concentration of tumor-promoting IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10, an effect most pronounced in the highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 cell line. Transcriptional and functional analyses further revealed that these agents alter the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, thereby promoting pro-oxidant environments conducive to cancer cell death. Conclusions: These findings indicate that MoI and Cv exert antitumor effects through coordinated pathways of apoptosis induction, extracellular cytokine levels and redox disruption. Consequently, MoI emerges as a promising candidate for complementary therapeutic strategies in BC management, particularly for aggressive subtypes, owing to its impact on inflammatory networks and redox vulnerabilities. At the same time, Cv serves as a compelling lead compound for targeted oncological research.

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer (BC), particularly aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative TNBC, remains a significant clinical challenge due to treatment resistance and therapeutic toxicity. This study evaluated the antitumor potential of Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) infusion (MoI) and its bioactive constituent, carvacrol (Cv), in diverse BC cell lines (MCF-7, HCC-1954, and MDA-MB-231). Methods: Cellular responses were assessed by quantifying apoptosis, profiling cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), and analyzing the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD2, GPX1) and their enzymatic activities. Results: Cv exhibited potent, subtype-independent pro-apoptotic activity, while MoI demonstrated significant efficacy with a more favorable safety profile in non-tumoral HaCaT cells. Both treatments mediated complex modulation of cytokine signaling, characterized by suppression of tumor-promoting IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10, an effect most pronounced in the highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 cell line. Transcriptional and functional analyses further revealed that these agents alter the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes., thereby promoting pro-oxidant environments conducive to cancer cell death. Conclusions: These findings indicate that MoI and Cv exert antitumor effects through coordinated pathways of apoptosis induction, immunomodulation, and redox disruption. Consequently, MoI emerges as a promising candidate for complementary therapeutic strategies in BC management, particularly for aggressive subtypes, owing to its broad modulation of inflammatory networks and redox vulnerabilities. At the same time, Cv serves as a compelling lead compound for targeted oncological research.