2ⁿᵈ Edition of the Cancer R&D World Conference 2026

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common malignancy in females and is a leading cause of death worldwide. Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major risk factor for CC. Sage, the genus Salvia, is an important medicinal plant that has anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, sage is not as angelic as once believed. There is little literature regarding the pro-cancer effects of sage. This study was designed to investigate sage extract (SE) on CC. 

Methods: Clonogenic survival assay, cell proliferation, and caspace-3 activity kits evaluated the effects of SE on CC cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis of the CC cell line HeLa. Our study investigated the molecular mechanisms on growth and survival using RT-PCR

Results: The percentage of colonies of CC cells significantly increased after SE treatment. This paralleled with the increase of the OD value of cancer cells after treatment with SE. This was further supported by the increased expression of PCNA mRNA after treatment with SE. Additionally, the cellular caspase-3 activity decreased after treatment with SE. The pro-proliferative effect of SE on CC cells correlated with increased levels of CDK4 and decreased p21. The anti-apoptotic effect of SE on cervical cancer cells correlated with increased survivin.

Conclusions: SE promotes growth of CC cells by promoting proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, and the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon may be related to increased CDK4, decreased p21, and increased survivin. Our study proudly contributes to the examination of development of new promising treatment options for CC.