title: Evaluation of the cytotoxic and antitumour effects of the essential oil from Mentha x villosa and its main compound, rotundifolone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and antitumour effects of the essential oil from the leaves of Mentha x villosa (EOMV) and its main component (rotundifolone).
  
  
  METHODS
  In-vitro cytotoxic activity of the EOMV and rotundifolone was determined on cultured tumour cells. In-vivo antitumour activity of the EOMV was assessed in sarcoma 180-bearing mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EOMV displayed cytotoxicity against human tumour cell lines, showing IC50 values in the range of 0.57-1.02 μg/ml in the HCT-116 and SF-295 cell lines, respectively. Rotundifolone showed weak cytotoxicity against HCT-116, SF-295 and OVCAR-8 cell lines (IC50 > 25.00 μg/ml). Tumour growth inhibition rates were 29.4-40.5% and 25.0-45.2% for the EOMV treatment by intraperitoneal (50-100 mg/kg/day) and oral (100-200 mg/kg/day) administration, respectively. The EOMV did not significantly affect body mass and macroscopy of the organs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EOMV possesses significant antitumour activity with low systemic toxicity, possibly due to the synergistic action of its minor constituents.
authors: Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors: Ricardo G
authors: RG
authors: Amaral
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors: Cecília S
authors: CS
authors: Fonseca
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors: Tayane Kayne M
authors: TK
authors: Silva
authors: Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors: Luciana N
authors: LN
authors: Andrade
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors: Maria E
authors: ME
authors: França
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
authors: José M
authors: JM
authors: Barbosa-Filho
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
authors: Damião P
authors: DP
authors: de Sousa
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors: Manoel O
authors: MO
authors: Moraes
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors: Cláudia Ó
authors: CÓ
authors: Pessoa
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors: Adriana A
authors: AA
authors: Carvalho
authors: Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors: Sara Maria
authors: SM
authors: Thomazzi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027541:Mentha; D051379:Mice; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; C467828:rotundifolone; D004317:Doxorubicin
keywords: Mentha x villosa; antitumour; cytotoxic; essential oil; terpenes