Proceedings of the XXXII National Conference of the Italian Society of Cytometry

Since survival of melanoma patients remain poor (5-year survival below 25%), there is continued need for new therapeutic approaches. Many studies have shown that plants are a potential source of natural molecules than can be used as agent in cancer treatment. Cinnamon is a small and evergreen plant belonging to Lauraceae family, native to Asia, whose medical properties are still under investigation. In particular, Cinnamomum zeylanicum besides anti-microbial, antimycotic and anti-inflammatory properties, have been demonstrated to have an antitumor effect. In this study we investigated the anti-melanoma cell activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil on an in vitro established melanoma cell line. The results revealed that this agent has an antiproliferative effect as evaluated by cell growth inhibition and cell cycle analysis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was augmented by the treatment with Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil indicating its pro-oxidant effect in melanoma. In addition, Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil was able to improve the effect of a conventional antitumor drug such as Tamoxifen used at low doses. Our results strongly support the potential use of this plant in combination cancer therapy.