Effect of Curcumin Extract (Curcuma Longa) on Cancer Cell Lines in Vitro

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to detect the active compounds found in ethanolic crude extract of Curcuma longa rhizome and evaluate the cytotoxic effect of ethanolic extract on two malignant cell lines; Human laryngeal Carcinoma (HEP-2) cell line, murine mammary adenocarcinoma (AMN-3) cell line and one transformed cell line of Rat Embryogenic Fibroblast (REF-3).

Methodology: Administrative Arrangement: This study was conducted in Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetic Research (ICCMGR), Baghdad, Iraq into the period (1 / 1 / 2011 to 1 / 1 / 2012), periods of exposure of cell lines Different concentrations were prepared from ethanolic extract starting in (1 to 10000) µg/ml to were measured at) 24, 48, and 72 (hrs. in a microtitration plate under complete sterile conditions.

Results: Chemical detection of extract appeared that the ethanolic extract contain flavonoid, saponin, phenols, resins, volatile oils, tannins, terpins and steroids while glycosids, alkaloids and cumarines gave negative results appeared the ethanolic extract of curcuma longa showed inhibition effect at 48 hr. period for all concentration on cancer cell lines. And amount the inhibition percentage of (AMN-3) cell line (88.3%) for treatment in concentration (6 µg/ml) after (24hr). of exposure time, and inhibition percentage begin in lower concentration on (Hep-2) cancer cell line and gave inhibition percentage (77.1%) after treatment in (2000 µg/ml) after (48hr). of exposure time and appeared the ethanolic extract on REF transformed cell line and gave higher inhibition percentage (93%) after treatment in (100 µg/ml) of exposure time.

Conclusion: The ethanolic crude extract of Curcuma longa Which contain flavonoid, saponin, phenols, resins, Volatile Oils, tannins, terpins and steroids while alkaloids, glycosids, and cumarines gave negative results, In the in vitro study, The ethanolic crude extract of C. longa has a potent cytotoxic activity against REF transformed cell line, AMN-3 and Hep-2 cell lines in a concentration and time dependent manners (in vitro), The cell lines REF and AMN-3 were the most sensitive to the inhibitory effects of ethanolic extract of C. longa rhizomes, The cell line Hep-2 showed less response at low concentration while the extract had cytotoxic effect at highest concentration after exposure 48 hr.

Recommendations: Using further different cancer cell lines as well as normal cell lines to study the cytotoxicity of Curcuma longa extract such as oral, stomach and colon cell lines. Using the comet test technique to detect the effects of plants extracts on DNA, use different solvent to extract of Curcuma longa for example methanol.