The cytotoxic effect of two chemotypes of essential oils from the fruits of Angelica archangelica L.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this work was to study the constituents and cytotoxicity of the essential oils from the fruits of Angelica archangelica growing in Iceland.


METHODS
Three samples of essential oils were prepared by steam distillation. Their composition was established with GC/MS. The effects of the oils were examined in PANC-1 human pancreas cancer cells and Crl mouse breast cancer cells in concentrations ranging from 10-400 microg/ml, measuring the reduction of the tetrazolium salt 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -5- (3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2- (4-sulphophenyl) -2H-tetrazolium (MTS) by mitochondrial enzymes.


RESULTS
Two types of essential oils were found, differing mainly in the absence or presence of beta-phellandrene. The ED50 of the oils ranged from 48.6 microg/ml to 108.3 microg/ml for PANC-1 and 48.0 microg/ml to 91.8 microg/ml for Crl cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The cytotoxic activity of the essential oils was independent of the quantity of their main components.
Sigurdsson
Steinthor
S
Science Institute, University of Iceland, Reykjavik. sts@raunvis.hi.is
Ogmundsdottir
Helga M
HM
Gudbjarnason
Sigmundur
S
D029970:Angelica archangelica / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; C058582:beta-phellandrene