Inhibitory effect of carrot leaves extract on tumor cell growth

Abstract

Introduction Carrots which widely cultivated vegetables in temperate regions are the major source of β-carotene in the diet. Several epidemiological studies imply specifically the intake of carrots as important for the cancer prevention. Carrot leaves are also included many antioxidant flavonoids such as luteolin and apigenin. However, it is not clear the inhibitory effect of carrot leaves in cancer prevention. In the present study, we have investigated the inhibitory mechanism of cancer prevention by carrot leaves extract. Methods Carrot leaves was extracted with EtOH, CHCl3, EtOAc or BuOH. Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) were cultured with each extract of carrot leaves. Cell viability, cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed. Results All extracts of carrot leaves decreased cell proliferation of EATC time- and dose-dependently. Furthermore CHCl3 and EtOAc fractions were also inhibited cell viability. However BuOH fraction decreased cell proliferation without changing in the cell viability. The addition of CHCl3, EtOAc or BuOH extracts caused an accumulation of cells caused an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase and then caused the arrest of cell proliferation. Conclusion These results suggest that carrot leaves extract have preventive effects on tumor proliferation. The inhibitory mechanism is induced through the arrest of cell division of EATC.