Abstract: Objective To explore the ability of an aqueous extract of Camellia chrysantha（Hu） Tuyama to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells. Methods Eca109 cells were treated with aqueous extract of Camellia chrysantha（Hu） Tuyama at various concentrations，and then cell growth was assessed by trypan blue exclusion and cell morphology by transmission electron microscopy（TEM）. Results Aqueous extract of Camellia chrysantha（Hu） Tuyama inhibited Eca109 growth in a dose-and time-dependent manner.The extract also induced apoptosis-like morphological changes in the cells. Conclusion These results suggest that aqueous extract of Camellia chrysantha（Hu） Tuyama inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells.

Key words:  Esophageal neoplasms, Camellia chrysantha（Hu） Tuyama, Growth inhibition, Apoptosis induction