Phytochemical analysis, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Myrtus communis essential oil from Morocco

Abstract

Background Myrtus communis L. is an aromatic evergreen plant common in Morocco. In addition to its culinary uses, it has been used medicinally as a disinfectant, an antiseptic or as a hypoglycemic agent. However, its cytotoxic activity has not been well investigated so far. The current study describes the chemical composition, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of Myrtus communis L essential oil obtained from different regions of Morocco. Methods Myrtus communis essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation, and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated in murine mastocytoma P815 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells, using the MTT assay. In addition, DNA fragmentation was assessed by gel electrophoresis. The antioxidant effect was determined by measuring bleaching of β-carotene with the linoleic acid and the DPPH radical scavenging methods. Results GC-MS analysis showed high amounts of methyl eugenol (18.7%), α-terpineol (15.5%) and geranyl acetate (11.64%) in essential oil from the Benslimane region. In contrast, essential oil from Ouazzane was particularly rich in 1,8-cineole (36.3%). The cytotoxicity results showed that MCF-7 cells were more sensitive than P815 cells to the essential oils from Ouazzane and Benslimane regions with IC50 values of 4 and 6.25 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, this cytotoxicity was partly associated with DNA fragmentation, which is one of the characteristics of apoptosis. The tested essential oils did not show strong antioxidant activity. Conclusions Myrtus communis L. essential oil exhibits a weak antioxidant effect, but induced remarkable cytotoxic activity by a mechanism related to apoptosis, suggesting a possible application of the bioactive compounds as natural anticancer compounds.

Entrapment of Citrus limon var. pompia Essential Oil or Pure Citral in Liposomes Tailored as Mouthwash for the Treatment of Oral Cavity Diseases

“…In fact, they are able to react with peroxyl radicals, as demonstrated by Origanum vulgaris essential oil, whose most relevant compounds are thymol and carvacrol [ 9 , 12 ], Thimus capitatus essential oil, whose most relevant compound is still carvacrol [ 25 ], and many others [ 35 , 36 ]. A comparable antioxidant activity was also exerted by the citral loaded liposomes due to citral, an aldehydic terpene [ 37 ], as previously reported [ 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

Essential Oils’ Potential in Breast Cancer Treatment: An Overview

“…The apoptosis of MCF7 was stimulated by Ocimum sanctum EO with the regulation of apoptotic genes p53 and Bid and elevation of Bax/Bcl-2 [15]. Similar results were found with MCF7 apoptosis induction by Tetraclinis articulata [16] and Myrtus communis L., commonly used in Morocco for culinary purposes [17]. Carvacrol is the major ingredient of Zataria Multiflora EO and induced apoptosis in 2D and 3D cell cultures of MDA-MB-231, MCF7, and T47D with selectivity and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), caspase 3 activation, and DNA damage [18].…”

Proapoptotic Activity of Achillea membranacea Essential Oil and Its Major Constituent 1,8-Cineole against A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells

“…(7.46%-35.72%) [27] and A. millefolium L. (1.2%-19.8%) [28]. Previous studies on 1,8 cineole, or on EOs containing it, reported apoptotic effects on a variety of cancer cell lines, including: SK-MEL-28 (human melanoma); A549 (human lung carcinoma); Colo-205 (Human Caucasian colon adenocarcinoma); (SiHa) cells (human cervical carcinoma); Hep-G2 (hepatocellular carcinoma); MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231 (human breast adenocarcinoma); RKO (Human colon carcinoma); Caco-2 (human Caucasian colon adenocarcinoma); A431 (squamous cell carcinoma); MG-63 (osteosarcoma) and P815 (murine mastocytoma) [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. This study has enriched the list of those cancer cell lines susceptible to 1,8-cineole and EO rich in1,8-cineole, and has demonstrated its potent effect on the ovarian cancer cell line (A2780).…”