Objectives: This study was performed to compare the cytotoxic effect of matcha green tea (MGT) and green coffee (GC) on tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSSC) cell line through the expression of p53 and Bcl-2 apoptotic genes.
Materials and methods: TSSC cell line was treated with increasing doses of MGT and GC. IC50 values for MGT and GC extracts were determined. Untreated cells were used as a control. Annexin V staining was used to study apoptosis of cancer cells treated with MGT and GC while PCR was used to investigate the expression of p53 and Bcl-2.
Results: MTT assay showed that MGT and GC are toxic to SCC-15. MGT showed a higher cytotoxic effect than GC. The IC50 for MGT at 24 and 48 h were 33 and 15 µg/ml, respectively. The IC50 value for GC at 24 and 48 h were 73 and 40 µg/ml, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic cells was increased significantly in cancer cells treated by MGT and GC compared to control as detected by annexin V staining assay. Our results demonstrated that MGT and GC treatment could significantly increase p53 protein expression; and suppress Bcl-2 compared to the control. MGT showed higher p53 and decreased Bcl-2 expression compared to GC.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that MGT and GC targeted oral cancer cells. They reduce cell viability and induce apoptosis. We also observed for the first time that MGT is superior to GC in suppression of TSSC cells which suggests a high potential for application in carcinogenesis.