Evaluation of Anti-cancer and Pro-apoptotic Activities of Iranian Green Tea Extract Against A549, PC3, and MCF-7 Cancer Cell Lines

Green tea contains active polyphenols including catechins. The goal of the current study was to evaluate anti-cancer effects of Iranian green tea extract (IGTE) on 3 human cancer cell lines including A549, PC3, and MCF-7.

First, Camellia sinensis was obtained from Lahijan, a city in the north of Iran and then IGTE was prepared. Next, catechins of IGTE were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Finally, the cell viability of different cancer cells was evaluated by treatment with IGTE at concentration between 100 and 1000 µg/mL for 72 hours using MTT assay. Cell death of treated cancer cells was assessed by DAPI staining and RT-PCR method.

Our results demonstrated the potential anti-tumor activity of IGTE on MCF-7 cells (IC50= 400 µM), A549 cells (IC50= 500 µM), and PC3 cells (IC50= 600 µM), respectively. Chromatin damages within the nucleus of the treated cancer cells were shown. In addition, we found that IGTE induced apoptosis by up-regulation of Bax (a pro-apoptotic protein) and down-regulation of Bcl2 (an anti-apoptotic protein).

Herein, we showed that IGTE is a potent natural product with anti-tumor activity on breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells. The efficacy of current therapies against cancer is limited by a range of adverse effects, toxicity, and drug resistance; therefore, new therapeutic strategies and more effective agents, particularly with natural origin, are desired and green tea may be a potent candidate in the field of cancer therapy.