Cytotoxic evaluation of iranian conifer extracts

Isolation and identification of some potent anti-tumor compounds from medicinal plants, has motivated researchers to screen different parts of plant species for anti-tumor effects. It has been reported that several conifer posses cytotoxic activities on some human tumor cell lines. In this study, male and female branchlets or fruit of four different species of Iranian conifers (Juniperus Sabina, Taxus baccata, Cupressus horizentalis and Platycladus orientalis) were collected from the northern parts of Iran and identified. Hydroalcoholic extract of these species was prepared by perculation. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts on three human tumor cell lines (Hela, KB and MDA-MB-468) were determined. Different concentrations of extracts were added to cultured cells and incubated for 72 h. Cell survival was evaluated using MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. Extracts from fruit, branchlets of male and female J. sabina showed inhibitory activities against Hela cells. The extracts of the fruit and branchlets of male and female J. sabina showed inhibitory activities against MDA-MB-468 cells. Extracts from bark of female T. baccata showed inhibitory activities against Hela cells. The extracts of the branchlets of male and female T. baccata and branchlets of C. horizentalis showed inhibitory activities against MDA-MB-468 cells, whereas the extracts of branchlets of female T. baccata showed inhibitory activities against KB cells. In conclusion, obtained extract from bark of Iranian T. baccata showed comparable cytotoxic effect to doxorubicin against Hela cells.