BE57 - The Effect of Marjoram on Colorectal Cancer Cells
SCURS Disciplines
Cell Biology
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Service-Learning — Oral
Abstract
Context:
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and widely affects individuals aged 50 and older (World Health Organization, 2026). There are a wide variety of treatment options, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy (World Health Organization, 2026). Chemotherapy is a common treatment option that uses chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells (Mayo Clinic, 2024). However, it has been shown that cancer cells can develop chemoresistance to various drugs. This study aims to analyzechemoresistance so new treatments can be established. We are using marjoram to determine whether it can inhibittranscription factors which activate the ABCB1 gene that is believed to be overexpressed in drug resistance (National Library of Medicine, 2013). A transcription factor that marjoram possibly inhibits is the P-glycoprotein pump (PGP).
Objective/Hypothesis:
To determine whether marjoram extracts of varying concentrations reduce colorectal cancer cell viability and to determine the potential for therapeutic usage. It was hypothesized that the marjoram would decrease cancer cell viability and increase chemosensitivity.
Methods:
Three colorectal cell lines were used (DLD-1, HCT-116, and Caco2) and grown according to protocol. Each cell line was treated with marjoram extract of varying concentrations - 1000ug/mL, 500ug/mL, 250ug/mL, 100ug/mL, 50ug/mL, 10ug/mL, and 1ug/mL. The positive control was hydrogen peroxide, known to reduce cancer cell viability, while the negative control was a combination of cells with media. Each cell line was treated for 2 days, then an MTS assay was conducted. The data was then used to evaluate mitochondrial activity and cell viability.
Results:
The MTS assay demonstrated that all cell lines had reduced cell viability. The yellow appearance of the wells indicated the lack of mitochondrial activity, revealing dead cells. The HCT-116 had the strongest response to the marjoram extract, requiring a smaller concentration of marjoram to have similar effects. The HCT-116 wells responded to concentrations greater than 100 ug/mL. In DLD-1 the concentrations greater than 250 ug/mL showed reduced cell viability. The Caco2 cells had unreliable results, since the cell viability was low prior to starting the experiment.
Conclusions:
Initial experimental findings indicate that marjoram extracts of varying concentrations may reduce cancer cell viability of most cell lines tested. These results emphasize the importance of continued research on the efficiency of concentrations of marjoram in reducing cancer cell viability and determining possible therapeutic options.
Keywords
Colorectal cancer, marjoram
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
BE57 - The Effect of Marjoram on Colorectal Cancer Cells
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Context:
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and widely affects individuals aged 50 and older (World Health Organization, 2026). There are a wide variety of treatment options, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy (World Health Organization, 2026). Chemotherapy is a common treatment option that uses chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells (Mayo Clinic, 2024). However, it has been shown that cancer cells can develop chemoresistance to various drugs. This study aims to analyzechemoresistance so new treatments can be established. We are using marjoram to determine whether it can inhibittranscription factors which activate the ABCB1 gene that is believed to be overexpressed in drug resistance (National Library of Medicine, 2013). A transcription factor that marjoram possibly inhibits is the P-glycoprotein pump (PGP).
Objective/Hypothesis:
To determine whether marjoram extracts of varying concentrations reduce colorectal cancer cell viability and to determine the potential for therapeutic usage. It was hypothesized that the marjoram would decrease cancer cell viability and increase chemosensitivity.
Methods:
Three colorectal cell lines were used (DLD-1, HCT-116, and Caco2) and grown according to protocol. Each cell line was treated with marjoram extract of varying concentrations - 1000ug/mL, 500ug/mL, 250ug/mL, 100ug/mL, 50ug/mL, 10ug/mL, and 1ug/mL. The positive control was hydrogen peroxide, known to reduce cancer cell viability, while the negative control was a combination of cells with media. Each cell line was treated for 2 days, then an MTS assay was conducted. The data was then used to evaluate mitochondrial activity and cell viability.
Results:
The MTS assay demonstrated that all cell lines had reduced cell viability. The yellow appearance of the wells indicated the lack of mitochondrial activity, revealing dead cells. The HCT-116 had the strongest response to the marjoram extract, requiring a smaller concentration of marjoram to have similar effects. The HCT-116 wells responded to concentrations greater than 100 ug/mL. In DLD-1 the concentrations greater than 250 ug/mL showed reduced cell viability. The Caco2 cells had unreliable results, since the cell viability was low prior to starting the experiment.
Conclusions:
Initial experimental findings indicate that marjoram extracts of varying concentrations may reduce cancer cell viability of most cell lines tested. These results emphasize the importance of continued research on the efficiency of concentrations of marjoram in reducing cancer cell viability and determining possible therapeutic options.