Camellia sinensis solvent extract, epigallocatechin gallate and caffeine confer trophocidal and cysticidal effects against Acanthamoeba castellanii

•Camellia sinensis solvent extract (SE) exhibited dose-dependent amoebicidal activity.•C. sinensis SE induced cytolysis and inhibition of A. castellanii trophozoite growth within 72 h of exposure to 625–5000 µg/mL.•C. sinensis SE had selective toxicity and was not toxic to human corneal epithelial cells up to 2500 µg/mL.•Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and caffeine at 100 μM and 200 μM respectively, inhibited both trophozoite replication and encystation.