Carvacrol Selectively Induces Mitochondria-Related Apoptotic Signaling in Primary Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key stromal mediators of breast tumor progression and therapy resistance. Carvacrol, a dietary monoterpenic phenol, exhibits antiproliferative activity in cancer cells, but its effects on primary human breast CAFs remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether carvacrol selectively induces mitochondria-related apoptotic signaling in breast CAFs while sparing normal fibroblasts (NFs). Methods: Primary fibroblast cultures were established from invasive ductal carcinoma tissues (CAFs, n = 9) and nonmalignant breast tissues (NFs, n = 5) and validated by α-SMA and FAP immunofluorescence. Cells were exposed to 400 μM carvacrol. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay and BAX/BCL-XL Western blotting.

SUBMITTER: Besli N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12844703 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature