Apoptotic and anti-proliferative effect of essential oil from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) on HepG2 and H1299 cells

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the apoptotic and anti-proliferative effect of essential oils obtained from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) at cellular level. To test the effects and mechanism, H1299 and HepG2 cells were selected for in vitro experiments. Cytotoxicity assay and morphology of cells analyses were performed to estimate the effect of turmeric essential oil (TEO) on the viability and cell growth. Proapoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of TEO were investigated using flow cytometry. Subsequent experiments assessed cell migration and colony formation of cells to evaluate the anti-metastatic effects of TEO by in vitro wound-healing assays and colony formation assays. The results indicated that treatment with more than 50 mg/L TEO for 48 h could significantly inhibit the proliferation of H1299 and HepG2 cells and could significantly inhibit cell migration and colony formation of cells (p < 0.05).