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Applied Science Private University

Volume Volume 19, 2025 · Issue 1 · Open Access · Double-blind Peer-review

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Original Research Article

The Effect of Verbena officinalis on Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Responses in Prostate Cancer

Jana Abu Hadhoud1, Ala’a Al-Bakheit1 & Maysoun S. Qutob2

1 Department of Nutrition and Food Processing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan.

2 Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.

* Corresponding author: Maysoun S. Qutob ([email protected])

https://doi.org/10.35192/jjoas-n.v19i1.2173
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Abstract

Background:Verbena officinalis, a medicinal plant native to Jordan, is renowned for its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, its anti-inflammatory effects remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of Verbena officinalis aqueous crude extract in PC3 prostate cancer cells, focusing on its ability to modulate inflammatory responses.

Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract was evaluated by measuring interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a pro-inflammatory stimulus, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) secretion. Total polyphenol content was quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, while antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH radical scavenging and tannic acid content analyses. Cytotoxicity was also evaluated to ensure the extract's safety.

Results: The aqueous extract exhibited the highest polyphenol content and demonstrated strong antioxidant properties, including a 45.5% radical scavenging activity and 7.7 mg/ml tannic acid content. At a concentration of 50,000 µg/ml selected to assess the maximal biological effect of the crude extract the extract significantly reduced LPS-induced IL-6 production at both protein and gene levels, while enhancing IL-10 secretion. This concentration was found to be non-cytotoxic, supporting its safety profile.

Conclusion: Verbena officinalis shows promise as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and potential preventive treatment for prostate cancer. The aqueous extract significantly reduced IL-6 secretion and decreased prostate cancer cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, particularly at 50,000 µg/ml. The observed increase in IL-10 levels suggests a beneficial modulation of the inflammatory response. These findings warrant further investigation into its therapeutic potential.

KeywordsAnti-inflammationIL-6IL-10Prostate cancerVerbena officinalis

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