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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2025-07-01
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| author | Rima Othman Vanessa Moarbes Muriel Tahtouh Zaatar Diane Antonios Rabih Roufayel Marc Beyrouthy Ziad Fajloun Jean-Marc Sabatier Marc Karam |
| author_facet | Rima Othman Vanessa Moarbes Muriel Tahtouh Zaatar Diane Antonios Rabih Roufayel Marc Beyrouthy Ziad Fajloun Jean-Marc Sabatier Marc Karam |
| author_sort | Rima Othman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-023d5575e1f04ace88cf489d0588549b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-023d5575e1f04ace88cf489d0588549b2025-08-20T03:28:33ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-07-013013284410.3390/molecules30132844Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant KeratinocytesRima Othman0Vanessa Moarbes1Muriel Tahtouh Zaatar2Diane Antonios3Rabih Roufayel4Marc Beyrouthy5Ziad Fajloun6Jean-Marc Sabatier7Marc Karam8Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USADepartment of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Balamand, Al-Kourah, Tripoli P.O. Box 100, LebanonDepartment of Biological and Physical Sciences, American University in Dubai, Dubai P.O. Box 28282, United Arab EmiratesLaboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Damascus Road, Beirut P.O. Box 11-5076, LebanonCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, KuwaitDepartment of Agriculture and Food Engineering, School of Engineering, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, LebanonDepartment of Cell Culture, Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, LebanonInst Neurophysiopathol (INP), CNRS, Aix-Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, FranceDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Balamand, Al-Kourah, Tripoli P.O. Box 100, LebanonSkin 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2844anti-cancer effectMTT assayessential oilHaCatA5 cell linesII4 cell lines |
| spellingShingle | Rima Othman Vanessa Moarbes Muriel Tahtouh Zaatar Diane Antonios Rabih Roufayel Marc Beyrouthy Ziad Fajloun Jean-Marc Sabatier Marc Karam Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant Keratinocytes Molecules anti-cancer effect MTT assay essential oil HaCat A5 cell lines II4 cell lines |
| title | Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant Keratinocytes |
| title_full | Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant Keratinocytes |
| title_fullStr | Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant Keratinocytes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant Keratinocytes |
| title_short | Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils from Middle Eastern Medicinal Plants on Malignant Keratinocytes |
| title_sort | cytotoxic activity of essential oils from middle eastern medicinal plants on malignant keratinocytes |
| topic | anti-cancer effect MTT assay essential oil HaCat A5 cell lines II4 cell lines |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2844 |
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