Cytotoxicity and Cancer (HeLa) Cell Killing Efficacy of Aqueous Garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i>) Extract

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a herb that is used mainly as a food in many countries for its medicinal properties since ancient times. It enhances immune functions and has antibacterial, antifungal, antivirus and anticancer activities. Organosulfur compounds originating from garlic inhibit carcinogen activation. In this study we prepared aqueous garlic extract (AGE) and its in vitro application to cancer (HeLa) cell line was performed to observe the cancer cell killing efficacy. Different concentrations of AGE like 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 µL per a 5-mL minimum essential medium solution were used for treatment. The results revealed that 95% cancer cells were destructed in a dose of 500 µL, whereas about 92, 87, 60, and 24% cancer cells were destructed in a dose of 400, 300, 200 or 100 µL of AGE, respectively.Keywords: Aqueous garlic extract; Cancer cells; Cytotoxicity; Anticancer activity.© 2011 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi:10.3329/jsr.v3i2.6557 J. Sci. Res. 3 (2), 375-382 (2011)