Background:Inappropriate activation of the proto-oncogene LIN28Band inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor, have been shown to have a critical role in tumorigenesis. Previousresearch has shown therapeutic potential for the use of herbal plants as an alternative strategyforcancer treatment. Achillae wilhelmsii C. Kochis a plant that has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effect of Achillea wilhelmsiiC. Kochhydroalcoholicextract (AWHE) on HeLa cervical cancer cells and its effect on LIN28Band p53 expression.

Methods:The cytotoxic activity of AWHEwas evaluated on HeLa cells using a trypan blue exclusion assay. The Annexin V/PI double staining assay was used to evaluate the apoptosis-inducing effect of the extract. The expressionof LIN28Band p53mRNA was measured using the real-time-PCRmethod.

Results:Treatment with AWHEwas shown to induce cytotoxicity in both time and concentration-dependent manners(P<0.05). The propositionof HeLa cells undergoing apoptosis increased with increasing concentrations of AWHE(P<0.05). The mRNA levels of p53increased following 12, 24, and 48 hours of AWHEtreatmentwhereasthe mRNA levels of LIN28Bwere significantly decreased after4 to 12 hours of AWHEtreatment (p<0.05).

Conclusions:Our findings confirmed the pro-apoptotic function of AWHEon the cervical cancer HeLa cell line. This indicates that targeting the LIN28Bsignaling cascade may be a promising therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer. Further research is required to understand the therapeutic effects of AWHEin primary human cervical cancer cells and a pre-clinicalcervical cancer model.