Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of Camellia Sinensis in the Caco-2 Colorectal Cancer Cell Line

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is widespread across the world. While conventional anticancer treatments can help the affected patients, cells of vital organs such as the kidney, lungs, bladder and nervous system may suffer from side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, so that it is necessary to search for alternatives. From ancient times, attention has focused on medicinal plants and natural products. In the current work, Camellia sinensis, whose leaves are used to produce green tea was evaluated for anticancer effects in cell culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hydroalcoholic extract of Camellia sinensis young leaves was prepared by percolation and compared with Cisplatin as a known anticancer drug for effects on two cell lines: Caco-2, colon carcinoma cells, and mouse normal fibroblasts (L929). Cytotoxicity of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/ml of Camellia sinensis extract was evaluated by MTT assay and aquaporin 5 (AQP5), detected as a biomarker for surviving cells using immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: MTT assays with hydroalcoholic extract of Camellia sinensis showed considerable inhibition of growth of Caco-2 cells, significant at 800 µg/ml (P<0.05), with little effect on L929 cells. Levels of aquaporin 5 protein decreased in Caco-2 cell culture following green tea extract treatment. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the current study, Camellia sinensis is a medicinal plant with potent anticancer influence which might be specific.