Composition and cytotoxic activity of essential oils from Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich, Xylopia parviflora (A. Rich) Benth.) and Monodora myristica (Gaertn) growing in Chad and Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
Cancer has become a global public health problem and the search for new control measures is urgent. Investigation of plant products such as essential oils from Monodora myristica, Xylopia aethiopica and Xylopia parviflora might lead to new anticancer therapy. In this study, we have investigated the antineoplastic activity of essential oils from fruits of these plants growing in Chad and Cameroon.


METHODS
The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of fruits of Monodora myristica, Xylopia aethiopica and Xylopia parviflora collected in Chad and Cameroon were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS and investigated for their antiproliferative activity against the breast cancer cell line (MCF7).


RESULTS
Overall, monoterpenes were mostly found in the six essential oils. Oils from X. aethiopica and X. parviflora from Chad and Cameroon mainly contain β-pinene at 24.6%, 28.2%, 35.7% and 32.9% respectively. Monodora myristica oils from both origins contain mainly α-phellandrene at 52.7% and 67.1% respectively. The plant origin did not significantly influence the chemical composition of oils. The six essential oils exerted cytotoxic activity against cancer (MCF-7) and normal cell lines (ARPE-19), with more pronounced effect on neoplastic cells in the majority of cases. The highest selectivity was obtained with the essential oils of X. parviflora from Chad and Cameroon (5.87 and 5.54) which were more cytotoxic against MCF-7 than against normal cell line (ARPE-19) with IC50 values of 0.155 μL/mL and 0.166 μL/mL respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Essential oils from fruits of Monodora myristica, Xylopia aethiopica and Xylopia parviflora have shown acceptable antineoplastic potency, and might be investigated further in this regard.
Issakou
I
Bakarnga-Via
Jean Baptiste
JB
Hzounda
Patrick Valere Tsouh
PV
Fokou
Lauve Rachel Yamthe
LR
Tchokouaha
Magali
M
Gary-Bobo
Audrey
A
Gallud
Marcel
M
Garcia
Lucain
L
Walbadet
Youssouf
Y
Secka
Pierre Michel Jazet
PM
Dongmo
Antimicrobial Agents Unit, Faculty of science, University of Yaoundé I, P,O Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon. fabrice.boyom@fulbrightmail.org.
Fabrice Fekam
FF
Boyom
Chantal
C
Menut
D029061:Annonaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002163:Cameroon; D002460:Cell Line; D002596:Chad; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054336:Xylopia / Q000737:chemistry*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; C005403:alpha phellandrene; C010789:beta-pinene