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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
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Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer

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The anticancer potential of Origanum onites L. in gastric cancer through epigenetic alterations

Fatma Sogutlu1, Mert Pekerbas2,3, Gulsum Boztas4

  • 1Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
|July 3, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Origanum onites L. essential oil (OOEO) shows potential for gastric cancer (GC) prevention and treatment by altering epigenetic modifications. This natural compound exhibits anticancer properties, including cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in GC cells.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Epigenetic alterations are key drivers in gastric cancer (GC) development.
  • Reversible epigenetic modifications present therapeutic and preventive opportunities.
  • Origanum onites L. essential oil (OOEO) has shown anticancer effects, but its role in GC epigenetics is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epigenetic effects of Origanum onites L. essential oil (OOEO) in gastric cancer (GC).
  • To evaluate OOEO's potential for GC prevention and therapy.

Main Methods:

  • OOEO was extracted via water distillation.
  • Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, DNA damage, and epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications) were assessed in gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) and normal gastric epithelial (GES-1) cells.

Main Results:

  • OOEO demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against AGS cells.
  • OOEO induced apoptosis, DNA double-strand breaks, and cell cycle arrest in AGS cells.
  • OOEO altered DNA methylation patterns and global histone modifications, including H3K9ac and H3K27me3, in GC cells.

Conclusions:

  • OOEO possesses epigenetic regulatory properties beneficial for GC management.
  • Further research into OOEO for neoadjuvant or combination therapies is warranted.
Keywords:
Origanum onites L.Gastric cancerHistone modificationMethylation

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