Antiproliferative effects of Camellia sinensis, Frangula alnus and Rosmarinus officinalis

The use of medicinal plants is becoming increasingly appreciated in suppressing cancer growth and cancer prevention. In this study the antiproliferative effects of the water extracts of previously obtained ethanolic dry extracts of three different medicinal plants (Camellia sinensis, Frangula alnus from two different places and Rosmarinus officinalis) using cell lines derived from human cervix adenocarcinoma (Hel a cells) were investigated. The extract of Camellia sinensis exhibited significant cytotoxic effect against Hel a cells (IC 50 40.88 μg/ml). Screening in Hel a cells revealed a moderate cytotoxic effect (IC50 80.26μg/ml) of the extract of Rosmarinus officinalis, a mild cytotoxic effect (IC 50 148.05 μg/ml) of the extract of Frangula alnus (originating in Bosnia), and the extract of Frangula alnus (originating in Serbia) did not show active cytotoxicity (IC 50 > 200 μg/ml). The best antiproliferative properties are those of Camellia sinensis, followed by Ros- marinus officinalis, and the least effective was Frangula alnus. As regards geographic origin, the alnus from Bosnia possessed better antiproliferative effects than Frangula alnus from Serbia.