Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 0 0 2026 07 26 1 11 EN Rebecca Yeroshalmi Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran Maryam Farghadan Human and Animal Cell Bank, Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC), Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran Sepideh Ashouri Movassagh Human and Animal Cell Bank, Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC), Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran Seyed Abolhassan Shahzadeh Fazeli Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran AND Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran 2026 02 03 2026 03 12 Gastric cancer is a significant global health issue characterized by a high mortality rate. Recent studies highlight the potential of plant-derived compounds in targeting molecular pathways involved in cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the apoptotic and anticancer effects of Alcea glabrata methanolic extract on gastric cancer cells, focusing on the modulation of HER2, HSP90α, P53, and Caspase-3 gene expression. The methanolic extract was prepared from the aerial parts of Alcea glabrata. Its antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) and human gum fibroblast (HUGU) cell lines were treated with different concentrations of the extract. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay, and IC50 values were calculated. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, and real-time PCR was used to quantify the expression levels of HER2, HSP90α, P53, and Caspase-3. The extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by the DPPH assay. It reduced cell viability in both AGS and HUGU cell lines, with a lower IC50 in AGS cells, indicating selective toxicity toward cancer cells. Flow cytometry revealed a significant increase in apoptosis in AGS cells. Additionally, gene expression analysis showed upregulation of P53 and Caspase-3, and downregulation of HER2 in AGS cells. Changes were less marked in HUGU cells. The extract also demonstrated vigorous antioxidant activity. Alcea glabrata extract exhibited selective anticancer effects on AGS cells by inducing apoptosis and modulating gene expression. Its antioxidant properties and downregulation of HER2 suggest its potential as a complementary treatment agent for gastric cancer. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/4744 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/4744/2380