Evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic activity of petroleum ether , methanol and aqueous extracts of indian bay leaf , cinnamomum tamala ( buch .-ham . ) t . nees & eberm . on cancer cells

Cinnamomum tamala (CT) (FamilyLauracea) is widely consumed condiment and commonly known as tejpat. In present study, in vitro cytotoxic activity of three different extracts of leaves of CT was evaluated against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and three human cancer cell lines (Lung: A549, Breast: MCF-7 and Colon: COLO 205) by Sulforhodamine B assay. Crude petroleum ether and methanol extracts were obtained by soxhlet extraction technique and aqueous extract by Cold maceration technique. Hemolytic activity of extracts was also evaluated. All three crude extracts lack cytotoxic effects on normal human cells. Whereas, different degrees of cytotoxic activity on cancer cells by these extracts were observed. Methanol extract; rich in phenols, flavonols and flavonoids; was found to be significantly more active and potent against all the cancer cell lines as compared to pet. ether and aqueous extract of CT. Lack of hemolytic activity suggests that cytotoxic activity of CT is may be due to apoptosis rather than membrane destabilization. The present study suggests novel potential antitumor activity of the Indian spice CT and need for further identification of bioactive compounds along with mechanism finding studies.