Hydroalcoholic Extract of Achillea Wilhelmsii Decreases the Expressions of Hippo Signaling Pathway-Associated Oncogenes in the A549 Lung Cancer Cell Line

Background: Achillea wilhelmsii used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat a variety of disorders, has been proven to contribute to some signaling pathways in cancers. Evidence suggests that the Hippo pathway, which regulates organ size, is altered in a few conditions like lung cancer. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant on the viability and mRNA expression of some Hippo signaling pathway-associated oncogenes and suppressors in A549 lung cancer cell lines. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared using a Soxhlet extractor and its antiproliferative activity was studied by MTT assay. Then, the mRNA expressions of "large tumour suppressor kinases 1 and 2" (LATS1 and LATS2), "Yes1 Associated Transcriptional Regulator" (YAP1), and "Transcriptional co‑activator with PDZ‑binding motif" (TAZ) were measured using real-time PCR. Results: According to MTT, the viability was decreased significantly after 24 h treatment with A. wilhelmsii at the concentrations of 800-1000 μg/ml and after 48 h treatment at the concentration of 400- 1000 μg/ml. While the mRNA levels of LATS1, TAZ, and YAP1 decreased significantly compared to untreated cells at the concentration of 200 μg/ml after 48 h treatment. However, the mRNA expression of LATS2 did not change. Conclusion: Our findings showed that hydroalcoholic extract of A. wilhelmsii inhibited the viability of lung cancer cells as well as it could decrease the expression of both oncogenes in the Hippo pathway. However, it had suppressing effects on LATS1, which should be considered in further studies. conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of A. wilhelmsii might inhibit proliferation of lung cancer cells as well as it could decrease the expression of both oncogenes in them. However, it had suppressing effects on LATS1, which should be considered in further studies.