Evaluation of the cytotoxic effect of chamomile ethanol extract on Hela and MCF-7 cancer cell lines

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide and breast (MCF-7) and cervical (Hela) cancers rank among the most prevalent malignancies in women. The search for natural compounds with extended shelf life and reduced side effects has prompted plants for cancer investigations into the potential use of medicinal pretreatment. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of chamomile ethanol extract on the viability of MCF-7 and Hela cancer cell lines using the methyl thiazole tetrazolium test.

The cell lines were exposed to chamomile ethanol extract for 48 hours, to varying concentrations of chamomile the results were analyzed based on the inhibitory concentration (IC50) for cell growth.

The IC50 value was calculated as 1420 μg/ml for the Hela cell line and 1760 μg/ml for MCF-7 cancer cells. Chamomile ethanolic extract decreased cell survival in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines and the growth inhibition percentage of both cell lines increased with increasing extract concentration. Notably, the findings revealed that MCF-7 cancer cells are more resistant to treatment with chamomile extract than cervical cell lines.

Moreover, the chamomile extract demonstrated a more candidate anticancer effect on Hela cancer than on the MCF-7 cancer cell line.