Apoptotic Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and Matricaria chamomilla Essential Oil on A549 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND: Cancer as a global problem is a major health threat to human, and lung cancer is the most common type of malignant tumor. Phenethyl ester of caffeic acid is one of the known phenolic compounds. The beneficial effects of caffeic acid, including its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immune-boosting, antioxidant and carcinostatic and anticarcinogenic properties have been confirmed in several studies. Matricaria chamomile that belongs to the Asteraceae family is one of the most popular medicinal plants, which is known as the star of medicinal plants. It has been used for the centuries for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the induction of apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells by caffeic acid obtained from propolis and chamomile extract. METHODS: The A549 cultured lung cancer cells were treated with caffeic acid and chamomile extract. Following incubation times the cells were examined by flow cytometry for the rate of apoptosis induction. RESULTS: The results showed that caffeic acid and chamomile extract have effective roles in inducing apoptosis and caused significant changes in the percentage of living cells and the percentage of cells in the early and late phases of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeic acid and chamomile extract have effective role in inhibiting lung cancer cells with significant apoptotic effects on pulmonary epithelial cancer cells.