Research Article

Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line

Volume: 13 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line

Abstract

Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer worldwide in both men and women, characterized by high mortality rates. In cancer treatment, the use of herbal compounds is increasingly gaining prominence alongside traditional therapeutic methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. HCT116 is a widely utilized colon cancer cell line for developing new treatment strategies, known for its high invasive capacity and potential for chemoresistance. In this study, the HCT116 human colon cancer cell line was used as a model to investigate the anticancer effects of Cistus laurifolius extract against colon cancer. Cistus laurifolius plants were collected from their natural habitat and dried using natural methods. The extract was then applied at varying concentrations to HCT116 colon cancer cells and non-cancerous HUVEC (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells) for 48 hours. Cell viability was determined using the Eco Tech Cell Viability (CVDK-8) kit. Absorbance values were normalized against control groups to determine percentage cell survival rates. According to the cell viability assay data, the C. laurifolius plant extract induced mortality in HUVEC cells at rates of 16% at 100 µg/mL, 48% at 200 µg/mL, and 95% at both 400 µg/mL and 800 µg/mL. These data indicate that the cytotoxic effect of C. laurifolius extract increases in a concentration-dependent manner. Conversely, at concentrations of 25 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL, cell viability increased by 6% and 12%, respectively. Consequently, it was determined that low concentrations of C. laurifolius extract do not exert toxic effects on non-cancerous HUVEC cells. On the other hand, C. laurifolius extract was applied to HCT116 colon cancer cells for 48 hours. Cell viability data revealed that the plant extract exhibits anticancer activity against HCT116 cells. At the highest concentrations (200, 400, and 800 µg/mL), approximately 95% mortality was observed in HCT116 cells. At other concentrations (25–100 µg/mL), approximately 10% cell mortality was recorded. Based on these findings, the anticancer efficacy of C. laurifolius plant extract against HCT116 cells increases with higher concentrations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Non

Project Number

Non

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to Prof. Dr. Özkan ÖZDEN, Head of the Department of Bioengineering, for opening his laboratory to us, and to Asst. Prof. Dr. Gül Esma AKDOĞAN KARADAĞ for her contributions to plant identification. This manuscripts was summrized from Ms. Meral Yıldız’s Master degree thesis.

References

  1. Arab, L., & Il’yasova, D. (2003). The epidemiology of tea consumption and colorectal cancer incidence. The Journal of nutrition, 133(10), 3310S-3318S.
  2. Armağan, B. (2024). Glikoz içeren besiyerlerinde çoğalan HT-29 kolon kanseri hücrelerinde kızılcık (Cornus mas), quercetin ve kombinasyonlarının sitotoksik etkilerinin incelenmesi [Master’s Thesis, Biruni Üniversitesi]. https://openaccess.biruni.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/20.500.12445/4010
  3. Baudin, B., Bruneel, A., Bosselut, N., & Vaubourdolle, M. (2007). A protocol for isolation and culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Nature protocols, 2(3), 481-485.
  4. Bouamama, H., Noel, T., Villard, J., Benharref, A., & Jana, M. (2006). Antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts of two Moroccan Cistus L. species. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 104(1-2), 104-107.
  5. Bray, F., Laversanne, M., Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Soerjomataram, I., & Jemal, A. (2024). Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 74(3), 229-263. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21834
  6. Buyukdogan, M., Boruban, M. C., Artac, M., & Demirel, S. (2009). Kolorektal Kanserli Hastalarda Sitokrom P450 (CYP2C9 ve CYP2C19) Genetik Polimorfizm Sıklığı. UHOD: International Journal of Hematology & Oncology/Uluslararasi Hematoloji Onkoloji Dergisi, 19(2). https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=1306133X&asa=Y&AN=48187475&h=zdXfZ4YYlIZ9hHL0%2FteMUnwi9uRmzkN%2BYH6rUy1ZY617mPwUw99uaQGrcCYpC%2BMc8rH4Psqd457rIwb%2F9rG7eg%3D%3D&crl=c
  7. Chiru, T., Fursenco, C., Ciobanu, N., Dinu, M., Popescu, E., Ancuceanu, R., Volmer, D., & Raal, A. (2020). Use of medicinal plants in complementary treatment of the common cold and influenza–perception of pharmacy customers in Moldova and Romania. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 21, 100346.
  8. Deshpande, A., Dhadi, S. R., Hager, E. J., & Ramakrishna, W. (2012). Anticancer Activity of Rice Callus Suspension Culture. Phytotherapy Research, 26(7), 1075-1081. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3699

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

June 4, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 1

APA
Yıldız, M., Gök, İ., & Demirel, R. (2026). Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line. Caucasian Journal of Science, 13(1), 45-59. https://doi.org/10.48138/cjo.1964013
AMA
1.Yıldız M, Gök İ, Demirel R. Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line. Caucasian J. Sci. 2026;13(1):45-59. doi:10.48138/cjo.1964013
Chicago
Yıldız, Meral, İlhami Gök, and Ramazan Demirel. 2026. “Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus Laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line”. Caucasian Journal of Science 13 (1): 45-59. https://doi.org/10.48138/cjo.1964013.
EndNote
Yıldız M, Gök İ, Demirel R (June 1, 2026) Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line. Caucasian Journal of Science 13 1 45–59.
IEEE
[1]M. Yıldız, İ. Gök, and R. Demirel, “Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line”, Caucasian J. Sci., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 45–59, June 2026, doi: 10.48138/cjo.1964013.
ISNAD
Yıldız, Meral - Gök, İlhami - Demirel, Ramazan. “Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus Laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line”. Caucasian Journal of Science 13/1 (June 1, 2026): 45-59. https://doi.org/10.48138/cjo.1964013.
JAMA
1.Yıldız M, Gök İ, Demirel R. Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line. Caucasian J. Sci. 2026;13:45–59.
MLA
Yıldız, Meral, et al. “Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus Laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line”. Caucasian Journal of Science, vol. 13, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 45-59, doi:10.48138/cjo.1964013.
Vancouver
1.Meral Yıldız, İlhami Gök, Ramazan Demirel. Evaluation of the In Vitro Anti-Cancer Potential of Cistus laurifolius Extract in Colon Cancer (HCT116) Cell Line. Caucasian J. Sci. 2026 Jun. 1;13(1):45-59. doi:10.48138/cjo.1964013

dizin1.png dizin2.png dizin3.png  dizin5.png dizin6.png dizin7.png