The Essential Oils from <em>Pittosporum tobira</em> Flowers Display Antiproliferative Properties and Inducing Apoptosis on Lung Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) Aiton is an aromatic medicinal plant widely cultivated in the world. However, the essential oils (EOs) from P. tobira flowers for anti-cancer potential is still not systematically studied. The present aim to elucidate the phytochemical composition of the EOs and to explore mechanism of anticancer action. Methods: The EOs were extracted and analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Volatile components were identified according to Kovats retention index (KI) and NIST database. The anti-neoplasm mechanisms of the EOs was comprehensively investigated in lung carcinoma A549 and H460 cells. Results: A total of 47 secondary metabolites representing 94.18% of the EOs were successfully identified: monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were the dominant terpenoids. The EOs exhibited antiproliferative activity on A549 and H460 lung carcinoma cells.Hoechst 33324 fluorescent staining indicated the typical characteristics of apoptosis and induced cycle phase arrest. AnnexinV/PI staining revealed that the number of apoptotic cells was increased.Furthermore, the EOs also induced the caspase-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Conclusions:Findings suggest that the full-scale chemical composition and first characterization of anticancer activities of the EOs, it could be used for integrative natural anti-cancer agents in health care should be pay more attention.

Chemical Composition of Volatile Extracts from Black Raspberries, Blueberries, and Blackberries and Their Antiproliferative Effect on A549 Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

“…Myrcene with a concentration of 1 µg/mL showed strong cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and significantly increased the expression level of caspase-3, caspase-9, and cytochrome C in A549 lung cancer cells [34]. In Sun et al [35], essential oils from Pittosporum tobira flowers decreased cell population in G0/G1 phase and increased in G2/M phase in A549 cells.…”

“…Linalool (2 mM) slightly increased the apoptotic cell death, but 1,8-cineole did not show an apoptotic effect. In Bai and Tang [34], myrcene (0.25-1 µg/mL) showed a significant cytotoxic effect in A549 lung cancer cells after 48 h. Essential oils from Pittosporum tobira flowers showed a significant antiproliferative effect on A549 cells [35]. In essential oils from Pittosporum tobira flowers, the main compounds were α-pinene, β-myrcene, γ-elemene, β-ocimene, d-limonene, and nerolidol.…”