Background Falcaria vulgaris Bernh among the most important member of Apiaceae family has been used for medical investigation in Iran and some regions in the world. This plant possesses a range of coumarin and flavonoids compounds that have many therapeutic properties such as gastrointestinal and liver diseases, skin ulcers, gastric ulcers, and intestinal inflammation. It has also been found that these compounds lead to cytotoxic effects. Objective This study contains concentrates on the cytotoxic effect and induction of apoptosis on cancerous cells (SW-872) through various extracts and essential oil of Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. It considers the volatile compounds of effective samples. Methods The shoot of the plant was extracted by the Soxhlet apparatus and its essential oil was taken by the Clevenger apparatus. The cytotoxicity of the samples was evaluated by the MTT method and the mechanism of cancer cell death by flow cytometry and finally, the volatile compounds of essential oils and effective extracts were identified by GC-MS. Results The results demonstrated that n-Hexane extract and 40% VLC fraction had the greatest cytotoxic effect on SW-872 cells. While, the most abundant volatile compounds in essential oil and 40% VLC fraction of n-Hexane extract were terpenoid compounds like (+) spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide, in n-Hexane extract tetradecan, and spathulenol were the most, respectively. Conclusion The fraction of 40% n-Hexane was in a concentration-dependent manner and significantly with controlling cells inhibited the growth of cancer cells. A plausible explanation could be made to account for this effect. This inhibition was made through induction of apoptosis and due to the presence of effective volatile compounds such as terpenoids and non-terpenoids which could be considered as valuable natural sources for the isolation of anti-cancer compounds.

Background: Apiaceae family is one of the plant families which used for medical investigation. Falcaria vulgaris is a clear example of this genus that grows in certain regions of Iran. In traditional medicine, due to the presence of coumarin and flavonoid compounds in this plant, therapeutic properties such as gastrointestinal and liver diseases, skin ulcers, gastric ulcers and intestinal inflammation have been reported. It has also been found that these compounds lead to cytotoxic effects. Objective: The aim of this study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect and induction of apoptosis by various extracts and essential oil of F. vulgaris on cancerous cell (SW-872) and to identify the volatile compounds of effective samples. Methods: The shoot of the plant was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus and its essential oil was taken by Clevenger apparatus. The cytotoxicity of the samples was evaluated by MTT method and the mechanism of cancer cell death by flow cytometry and finally, the volatile compounds of essential oils and effective extracts were identified by GC-MS. Results: The results showed that n-Hexane extract and 40% VLC fraction had the greatest cytotoxic effect on SW-872 cells. While, the most abundant volatile compounds in essential oil and 40% VLC fraction of n-Hexane extract are terpenoid compounds like (+) spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide, in n-Hexane extract tetradecan, and spathulenol are the most, respectively. Conclusion: In sum, it was found that the fraction of 40% n-Hexane is in a concentration-dependent manner and significantly with controlling cells, inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This effect is through induction of apoptosis and due to the presence of effective volatile compounds such as terpenoids and non-terpenoids which can be considered as the valuable natural sources for the isolation of anti-cancer compounds.