The Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) Extract on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of A549 and H1299 Human Lung Cancer Cells

ABSTRACT Objective: Apoptosis resistance and increased proliferation rates are characteristics of cancer cells. The anticancer properties of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) have been demonstrated in a small number of in vivo and in vitro animal studies; however, no research has investigated the role of RE in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 and H1299 cells, and its underlying mechanism of action remains unknown. In the current study, we examined the effects of RE on human non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Methods: Human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 and H1299 were incubated with (2.5 µg/ml, 5 µg/ml, 7.5 µg/ml, 10 µg/ml, and 12.5 µg/ml) doses of RE for 12, 24, and 48 hours. MTT, Annexin V-PI, and caspase 3/7 assay kit were performed to detect the cell viability and apoptosis. Results: According to MTT analysis, the viability of A549 and H1299 human lung cancer cells was reduced by approximately 49.74% and 47.76%, respectively, for 24 hours by treatment with a dose of 5 µg/ml RE. The results of Annexin V-PI staining and Caspase 3/7 activation showed that RE had a greater effect on inducing cell death. Conclusion: In conclusion, we can say that rosemary extract has both apoptotic and antiproliferative properties on human lung cancer cells. We might propose that additional investigation is necessary to ascertain the therapeutic impacts of rosemary extract.