Abstract

ZAPATA, Bibiana et al. Cytotoxic activity of essencial oils of Lippia origanoides H.B.K and its major constituents. Rev. Univ. Ind. Santander. Salud [online]. 2009, vol.41, n.3, pp.215-222. ISSN 0121-0807.

Introduction: Lippia origanoides H.B.K. (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic plant commonly called as "oregano". Eight essential oils of L. origanoides and some of their main components were evaluated in vitro on tumor cell line HeLa and non-tumor cell line Vero to identify tumoural cytotoxic potential. Materials and methods: Inhibition 50% of cell population (IC₅₀) was determined using the photo-colorimeter technique MTT (3 - (4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-difeniltetrazolium bromide). IC₅₀ values were obtained by linear regression analysis. The selectivity index (SI), defined as Vero IC₅₀ on HeLa IC₅₀, it was calculated in order to find oil or major components with selective tumor cytotoxic potential. Results and conclusions: the chemical composition of the oil most cytotoxic was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry GC/MS. The L. origanoides oil identified as chemotype trans-β-caryophyllene/p-cymene showed the highest cytotoxic activity on HeLa cells with IC₅₀ value of 9.1 ± 1 μg/mL and selectivity index of 7.1. The main components were: trans-β-caryophyllene (11.3 ρ-cymene (11.2%), α-phellandrene (9.9%), limonene (7.2%), 1.8-cineol (6.5%) and α-humulene (6.0%). The most of the major components did not show cytotoxic activity on HeLa cells, only limonene and β-myrcene showed IS values of 6.97 and 3.01, respectively. However, the IC₅₀ values were higher than active oil. These results suggest that cytotoxic activities of the oils are not only due to their main components, but to a synergism among its components. Salud UIS 2009; 41: 215-222.

Keywords : Cytotoxicity; Vero; HeLa; Lippia origanoides; essential oil; chemotype.

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