Effect of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum on Growth of Breast Cancer Cells and Microbes

Abstract

Cinnamon is a widely used herbal remedy and has many applications in perfumery, flavoring and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of the study is to examine the biological activity of different cinnamon extracts and major active constituent against microbial strains and breast cancer cells. The extracts were obtained from authentic Cinnamomum zeylanicum which was given by ICFRE, Dehradun. Five different extracts were obtained by soxhlet extraction: hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and acetone. The extracts were tested for their effect on breast cancer (MCF-7) cells using in vitro MTT bioassay. Hexane has shown maximum inhibition on cancer cells and IC50 was obtained at concentration of 125µg/ml. Interestingly, ethanol and aqueous extract showed more proliferative effect towards MCF-7 cells rather than inhibition. Antifungal activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum hexane extract was evaluated against Candida albicans. IC50 of antifungal effect was obtained at concentration of 2.5 mg/ml. Antibacterial activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum hexane extract was also tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and results were inferred on the basis of percentage of inhibition. Extracts exhibited significant inhibitory effect on, bacterial growth and MCF-7 cells proliferation. Thus, Cinnamomum zeylanicum may be used to obtain anticancer and antimicrobial agent.