OBJECTIVE: Thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignancies. Although most thyroid cancers respond to surgery and treatment, drug-resistant is a problem that necessitates new therapeutic strategies. Rosa canina from the Rosaceae family is suggested as an herbal remedy for numerous human ailments. Due to the need to identify new therapies for thyroid cancer and due to the therapeutic properties of Rosa canina, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Rosa canina fruit extract on two thyroid cancer cell lines (B-CPAP and Thr.C1-PI 33).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: After preparation of hydro-alcoholic extract of Rosa canina fruits and treatment of thyroid cancer cells, the cell survival, and proliferation were evaluated. Apoptosis cell death and nitric oxide production were estimated. Real-time PCR was used to investigate the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Statistical evaluation was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and differences were considered not significant when p > 0.05.

RESULTS: The extract reduced the viability of the cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Nitric oxide production was decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The extract stimulated apoptosis cell death by decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 and increasing the expression of Bax, p53, and Caspase 3.

CONCLUSIONS: This extract can be promising in the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer.