title: Phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxic effects of essential oils from three Pinus spp.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammation and cell differentiation lead to a number of severe diseases. In the recent years, various studies focused on the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity of essential oils (EOs) of numerous plants, including different Pinus species.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of EOs from needles and twigs of Pinus heldreichii Christ (Pinaceae) and P. peuce Griseb., and from needles, twigs and cones of P. mugo Turra were determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  For separation and identification of the EOs, gas chromatography/flame ion detector (GC/FID) and GC/mass spectrometry were performed. The amount of secreted IL-6 in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage model was quantified (concentration of oils: 0.0001-0.2%, 3 h incubation). Cytotoxicity on the cancer cell lines HeLa, CaCo-2 and MCF-7 were determined using a MTT (Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide) assay (concentration of oils: 0.001-0.1%, 24 h incubation).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most prominent members in the oils include: δ-3-carene, α-pinene and linalool-acetate (P. mugo); α-pinene, β-phellandrene and β-pinene (P. peuce); limonene, α-pinene and (E)-caryophyllene (P. heldreichii). EOs showed significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines (IC500.007 to >0.1%), with a reduction in cell viability with up to 90% at a concentration of 0.1%, and anti-inflammatory activity (IC500.0008-0.02%) with a reduction of IL-6 secretion with up to 60% at a concentration of 0.01%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EOs of needles and twigs from P. peuce and P. heldreichii as well as of needles, twigs and cones of P. mugo can be considered as promising agents for anticancer and anti-inflammatory drugs.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics , University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.|b Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine , University of Prishtina , Prishtina , Kosovo.
authors.forename: Mimoza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basholli-Salihu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics , University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.
authors.forename: Roswitha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Science , University of Prishtina , Pristhina , Kosovo.|d Institute of Biological and Environmental Research, University of Prishtina , Prishtinë , Kosovo.
authors.forename: Avni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hajdari
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics , University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.|b Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine , University of Prishtina , Prishtina , Kosovo.
authors.forename: Dafina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mulla
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics , University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Viernstein
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Science , University of Prishtina , Pristhina , Kosovo.|d Institute of Biological and Environmental Research, University of Prishtina , Prishtinë , Kosovo.
authors.forename: Behxhet
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mustafa
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics , University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D000067996:RAW 264.7 Cells; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; C577686:interleukin-6, mouse
keywords: Pinus heldreichii; Pinus mugo; Pinus peuce; cancer; inflammation