Molecular Study of the Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Oleocanthal on Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

[eng] Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and mortal cancers in women globally, though several factors can be modified to reduce the burden of this disease. A healthy dietary pattern, like mediterranean diet, has shown great potential to prevent and modulate this kind of cancer. Part of these benefits have been attributed to the consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), owing to its unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenolic content. Oleocanthal, a phenolic compound mainly found in EVOO, has emerged as a potential bioactive molecule with promising anticancer properties. Thus, in this study we aimed to assess its molecular effects on different breast cancer cell lines. Our results show that oleocanthal predominantly impairs the triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231), whereas the luminal-A-like cell lines (MCF7 and T47D) show lower sensitivity. Consistently, MDAMB-231 presented the greatest response with an altered cell cycle, characterized by increased cell death in a non-apoptotic manner. Oleocanthal also exerts an attenuation of inflammation through COX-2 modulation and increases oxidative stress. Additionally, mitochondrial respiratory capacity gets severely diminished, though the tricarboxylic acid cycle remains highly active,suggesting the activation of alternative biosynthetic pathways. Altogether, oleocanthal offers promising prospects regarding breast cancer modulation, especially in triple negative breast cancer. Despite the limited current bibliography, ongoing research into oleocanthal shows great future potential. There istherefore a long way ahead before it can be effectively translated into clinical practice.