Abstract:
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (Ceylon cinnamon; belongs to the family Lauraceae) is a
popular spice used worldwide and claimed for various pharmacological applications including
anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activities. Several studies have shown strong
cytotoxic potential of cinnamon bark extracts against different cancer cells. Further, it is reported
that anti-carcenogic potential of cinnamon varies with the types of cancers and the nature of the
extracts. Though leaves of Cinnamon contain numerous bioactive compounds, its anti-cancer
activities against different cancers have been less studied. Therefore, this study was carried out
on comparatively investigation of cytotoxic effects of leaves and bark of Ceylon cinnamon
against human breast cancer cells. The extracts were prepared using leaves and bark of cinnamon
in five -year maturity stage via macerating with water and methanol. The cytotoxic effect of
methanolic and aqueous extracts against human triple positive adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell
line were evaluated at a post-incubation of 48 hrs using MTT colorimetric assay. Cell viability
of MCF-7 was evaluated by mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity at concentrations of 25, 50,
100, 200 μgmL-1 of leaves and bark extracts compared to the negative and positive control, 0.5%
methanol and Tamoxifen respectively. A moderate cytotoxic effect was observed in both (leaves
and bark) methanolic extracts while no cytotoxic activity was evident by aqueous extracts against
MCF-7. Out of the two methanolic extracts, bark showed higher cytotoxic effect (IC50; 59.43
μgmL -1) compared to leaves (IC50; 127.65 μgmL -1). However, the cytotoxic effects of leaves
and bark are not as stronger as that of tamoxifen (IC50; 9.86 gmL -1). The findings of this study
confirmed that the leaves have less cytotoxic potential towards MCF-7 compared to the bark.
As an outcome, it is suggested of developing nutraceutical supplements using leaves and bark of
Ceylon cinnamon to be used in reducing the risk of cancer.
