Objective: 

Bryophytes have been used as medicinal plants for more than 400 years in China, Europe and North America. There is also evidence confirming the antibiotic and anticancer activity of bryophytes against fungi, prokaryotes and different cancer cells. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possible anticancer property of Homalothecium sericeum (hedw.) schimp., which is a bryophyte, extracts on rat glioma (C6) cells, in vitro.

Methods: 

We first collected 2 different (acetone and A) extracts from H. sericeum by two different extraction processes. C6 cells were seeded in 96 well plates and incubated for 24 hr. Following this incubation period, the medium was replaced with only medium (control) or medium with extracts at concentrations of 0.17, 1.7, 17, 85 or 170 mg/mL for 48 hr. Cytotoxicity was determined by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay.

Results: 

Acetone extract of H. sericeum at 0.17, 1.7 and 17 mg/mL concentrations did not change the survival rate of C6, but 85 and 170 mg/mL inhibited about 16% and 36% after 48 hr (p<0.001), respectively. Extract A at concentration of 0.17 mg/mL did not also affect C6 viability, but 1.7, 17 (p<0.01), 85 and 170 (p<0.001) mg/mL decreased C6 cell viability by 6, 8, 24 and 33% for 48 hr, respectively.

Conclusions: 

Acetone and A extracts of H. sericeum showed a moderate but similar dose dependent cytotoxicity on C6. Further studies are needed to clarify the content of these extracts.