Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant Keratinocytes
Skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinomas), is the most common type of cancer. UV radiation, family history, and genetic predisposition are the main risk factors. Although surgical excision is the standard treatment, essential oils are attracting gr...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2844 |
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| Summary: | Skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinomas), is the most common type of cancer. UV radiation, family history, and genetic predisposition are the main risk factors. Although surgical excision is the standard treatment, essential oils are attracting growing interest for their anti-cancer effects. This study tested the effects of <i>Juniperus excelsa</i> M. Bieb. (Cupressaceae), <i>Lavandula vera</i> DC. (Lamiaceae), and <i>Salvia fruticosa (Mill)</i>. (Lamiaceae) essential oils extracted from Middle Eastern medicinal plants on HaCaT (normal), A5 (benign), and II4 (low-grade malignant) keratinocytes. Essential oils were extracted from <i>Juniperus excelsa</i>, <i>Lavandula vera</i>, and <i>Salvia libanotica</i> using steam distillation and then were chemically analyzed. The oils were sterilized, dissolved in DMSO, and prepared at concentrations of 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 mg/mL. Human keratinocyte (HaCaT), benign (A5), and malignant (II4) cell lines were cultured in DMEM and treated with the essential oils for 24 or 48 h. Cell viability was assessed using the Trypan Blue Exclusion Test, while cell proliferation was evaluated using the MTT assay. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with appropriate post hoc tests, considering <i>p</i> < 0.05 as significant. The results show that <i>J. excelsa</i> is cytotoxic but lacks selectivity, limiting its efficacy. In contrast, <i>L. vera</i> and <i>S. fruticosa</i> preferentially target malignant cells, particularly at low concentrations, while sparing normal cells. These oils have dose-dependent anticancer effects, with <i>L. vera</i> efficacy increasing as the concentration increases. In conclusion, <i>L. vera</i> and <i>S. fruticosa</i> are promising candidates for the treatment of skin cancer, although further in vivo studies are required. |
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| ISSN: | 1420-3049 |