Anticancer and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) on oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (KB cell lines)- An In-vitro study

Abstract

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) as been used as traditional medicine for many years and they possess antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Clove is known for its anticancer property on various cancer cell lines and is well established, but its anticancer effect on OSCC cell lines is less known.  Aim of the study was to determine the anticancer and antioxidant effect of Syzygium aromaticum extract on OSCC cell lines (KB cell lines) and compare the same with normal mouse fibroblasts cell lines (L292 cell lines). KB cell lines and L292 cell lines were commercially obtained.  Clove was obtained from local market and ethanolic extract (EC) of clove was prepared. Anticancer activity was assessed by MTT, neutral red, DAPI and Double staining assay and antioxidant assay was carried out by FRAP, PM and DPPH assay. The antioxidant property of EC of clove increased with increase in the concentration in a dose dependent manner. Both MTT and Neutral Red assay showed increase in cell death with increase in concentration of EC of clove. Double staining and DAPI showed increase in cell death when treated with EC of clove. The anticancer and antioxidant activity of EC of clove was comparable with standard drug used in the assay. This in vitro study demonstrates effective anticancer and antioxidant activity on KB cell lines when compared to standard control. However, further studies are to be conducted in order to characterize other potential antitumor components of the clove, so that it can be used as therapeutic agent in treating oral carcinoma.