Cytotoxicity Effects of Aqueous Extract of Purtulaca oleracea on HeLa cell Line

Background: Progressive incidence of cervical cancer persuaded the scientists to find the most effective and appropriate treatment approaches such as herbal medicine. Hence, it was aimed in this study to evaluate antitumoral effects of Purtulaca oleracea (P. oleracea) aqueous extract on HeLa cell line. Materials: HeLa cell line was cultured and submitted to different concentrations of P. oleracea extract for 24 and 48 hours. Cell proliferation and viability were conducted by MTT assay and trypan blue staining respectively. Results: our results showed that cell proliferation was decreased significantly along with increase in P. oleracea extract concentrations as well as time lapse (p < 0.05). Also, the same result was obtained for cell viability. Conclusion: it is suggested that P. oleracea aqueous extract has antiprolifrative effects on HeLa cell line depending on concentration and time. Though, it appears that this extract decreased the growth of HeLa cells but its cytotoxicity on non-tumoral cells must be considered. Also, it is necessary to know which mechanisms cause its antiprolifrative properties.