Anticancer effect of Coleus amboinicus (Karpooravalli) on human lung cancer cell line (A549)

Cancer is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Plant derived products are being used for the treatment of cancer. Aromatic plants of lamiaceae family are known for its traditional medicinal value. The leaves of the plants are promoted in relieving cold, coughs, laryngitis, bronchitis, nasal congestion, inflammation of the mouth and throat. The leaves of Coleus amboinicus (C.amboinicus) have antioxidant, antibacterial, antimutagenic and anticancer activity. Ethanolic extract of C. amboinicus leaves were studied for the invitro cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cell line (A549) along with normal human lung cell line (VERO). The results showed that C. amboinicus treated A549 cell line with maximum cytotoxicity, Normal cell line (VERO) showed moderate cytotoxicity. Investigation demonstrated that C. amboinicus significantly suppressed growth and induced apoptosis in human lung cancer (A549) cell line.