Mexican Oregano Infusion and Carvacrol Modulate Cytokine Production, Induce Apoptosis, and Regulate Antioxidant Enzyme Expression and Function in Breast Cancer Cell Lines: Implications for Bioactive Molecule-Based Therapeutics

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer (BC), particularly aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative TNBC, remains a significant clinical challenge due to treatment resistance and therapeutic toxicity. This study evaluated the antitumor potential of Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens) infusion (MoI) and its bioactive constituent, carvacrol (Cv), in diverse BC cell lines (MCF-7, HCC-1954, and MDA-MB-231). Methods: Cellular responses were assessed by quantifying apoptosis, profiling cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), and analyzing the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD2, GPX1) and their enzymatic activities. Results: Cv exhibited potent, subtype-independent pro-apoptotic activity, while MoI demonstrated significant efficacy with a more favorable safety profile in non-tumoral HaCaT cells. Both treatments mediated complex modulation of cytokine signaling, characterized by suppression of tumor-promoting IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10, an effect most pronounced in the highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 cell line. Transcriptional and functional analyses further revealed that these agents alter the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes., thereby promoting pro-oxidant environments conducive to cancer cell death. Conclusions: These findings indicate that MoI and Cv exert antitumor effects through coordinated pathways of apoptosis induction, immunomodulation, and redox disruption. Consequently, MoI emerges as a promising candidate for complementary therapeutic strategies in BC management, particularly for aggressive subtypes, owing to its broad modulation of inflammatory networks and redox vulnerabilities. At the same time, Cv serves as a compelling lead compound for targeted oncological research.