Phytochemical screening and preliminary biological in vitro assessment of Camellia sinensis L. ethanolic extract

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Camellia sinensis L. (Theaceae), is the most frequently consumed beverage worldwide, due to its human health benefits. The antioxidant compounds are known to act as a protective barrier of cell membranes against oxidative injury caused by various free radicals as well as by reactive oxygen species. Additionally, even phenolic compounds have pharmaceutical effects on oxidative injury from diverse causes. Therefore, the present study was conceived to establish the phytochemical screening, as well as the physicochemical profile of an ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Camelia sinensis L. acquired from a local authentic herbal distributor. In this respect, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were investigated, as well as the antioxidant capacity of the green tea ethanolic extract obtained. For the physicochemical profile, the organic functional groups present in the green tea extract, and their thermal behavior were identified. Moreover, a preliminary in vitro biological assay was performed, through the evaluation of the antitumor potential of the green tea ethanolic extract obtained on the colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) compared to a healthy cell line, HaCaT (human immortalized keratinocytes). The results after the biological assessment suggest that the extract decreases the viability of HT-29 colon tumor cells (67% at a concentration of 100 µg/mL), showing a lesser effect on HaCaT cells; this being a first step in exploring the anticancer properties of the obtained extract.