Evaluation of anti-cancer effect of Peganum harmala L hydroalcholic extract on human cervical carcinoma epithelial cell line

Cervix cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Peganum harmala L. is a native herb used in traditional medicine as an anticancer, antibacterial, fungicidal and antiulcer agent in Iran. The current study was designed to evaluate the anticancer effect of this herb on cervix cancer cell lines. In this experimental study, the proliferated and cultured HeLa cells (human cervical epithelial- derived tissue) were used to determine the anticancer effect of harmala seed extract. The cells exposed to different doses of harmala seed extract (12, 25, 50.5 and 100 µg/ml) and were incubed for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the incubation period, modified colorimetric MTT [(3-(4.5-dimethyl Thiazole-2yl)]-2.5Diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide) method was used to determine cytotoxicity. After collecting data, statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of MTT assay showed that the HeLa extract anticancer effect is dependent to time and dose. The highest percentage of cell death was observed after 72 h incubation and increase in extract concentration (P<0.001). The 50% growth inhibitory concentration (IC50) of harmala in 24 h was 12.5 micrograms per milliliter. Harmala extract could have dose and time dependent for preventing growth on HeLa cancer cell line. It seems to come with further research, and utilizes its compound in cancer treatment.