Abstract:

  Background and Aim: Iranian orthodox black tea extract has been used widely in Iranian traditional medicine and society. The present investigation was carried out to study the induction of apoptosis and cytotoxic effects of hydromethanolic crude extract of Iranian orthodox black tea against oral squamous cell carcinoma (KB cell line).

  Materials and Methods : This experimental In vitro study was done on KB cells which were used as a model for oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Collected leaves were dried and powdered, then were soaked in 70% hydromethanol solvents. The cytotoxic rate and viability percentage of different concentration of crude extract on cultured cells were measured using the MTT assay. ELISA assay was used to measure the induction of apoptosis after 24 h in IC50 of hydromethanolic crude extract. Also, TUNEL test was applied to confirm the induction of apoptosis in treated cells. ANOVA test was used for the analysis of required data.

  Results: : MTT assay result revealed that hydrometanolic crude extracts of Iranian orthodox black tea had growth inhibitory and cytotoxic activity on oral squamous cell carcinoma (KB cell line). After 24 h, IC50 of hydromethanolic crude extract was 446.08±12.4 𝜇 g/mL . ELISA assay results revealed the induction of aptosis to be 34%.

  Conclusion: Iranian orthodox black tea extract can exert growth inhibition and induce cell death apoptosis on oral squamous cell carcinoma in all concentrations.