Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effect of Dried Flower Buds of Syzygium Aromaticum L. Extract on Human Cervical Cancer (Hela) Cells

Cancer leads to over seven million deaths each year. The current therapeutic approaches have failed to completely treat cancer, and it is essential to seek out new effective anticancer drugs. Because of nontoxic properties, relatively low cost, and phytochemical compounds, medicinal plant extracts have been evaluated for anticancer effects. The present study investigated antiproliferative, apoptosis-inducing, and total phenolic content of the flower bud extract of dried Syzygium aromaticum L. on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. Ethanolic extract of dried flower buds was prepared and total phenolic and flavonoid content determined. In vitro antiproliferative activity of the extract in Hela and normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) was evaluated using MTT assay. To determine apoptosis induction, HeLa cells were incubated with one time IC50 concentrations of extract, stained with both annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide, and flowcytometrically analyzed. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was 225.6±4 mg GAE/g and 29.3±2.35 mg RUT/g, respectively. Antiproliferative activity results showed that cell viability significantly decreased in dose- and timedependent manner after extract treatment (p<0.05). The extract IC50 against HeLa cell was less than that against HDFs. Flow cytometry results showed that the extract induced Hela cell apoptosis (apoptosis ratio: 66.77%). The ethanolic extract of dried S. aromaticum flower bud had the greatest phenolic content, and suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cells probably by inducing apoptosis. Further studies may identify the main anticancer ingredients of this extract.