Chemical Composition and In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Essential Oils from Leaves and Flowers of Callistemon citrinus from Western Himalayas

Abstract

BackgroundPlant-based traditional system of medicine continues to play an important role in healthcare. In order to find new potent source of bioactive molecules, we studied the cytotoxic activity of the essential oils from the flowers and leaves of Callistemon citrinus. This is the first report on anticancer potential of essential oils of C. citrinus.MethodsCytotoxicity of essential oil was evaluated using sulfo-rhodamine B (SRB) assay against human lung carcinoma (A549), rat glioma (C-6), human colon cancer (Colo-205) and human cervical cancer (SiHa) cells. Apoptosis induction was evaluated by caspase-3/7 activity which was further confirmed by western blotting. Percentage cell apoptosis was determined by Annexin V based dead cell assay followed by DNA content as cell cycle analysis against A549 and C-6 cells. While 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to check the toxicity against normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the immunomodulatory activity on mouse splenocytes was evaluated using SRB assay.ResultsThe GC and GC-MS analysis of these essential oils revealed high content of α-pinene (32.3%), limonene (13.1%) and α-terpineol (14.6%) in leaf sample, whereas the flower oil was dominated by 1,8-cineole (36.6%) followed by α-pinene (29.7%). The leaf oil contained higher amount of monoterpene hydrocarbons (52.1%) and sesquiterpenoids (14%) as compared to flower oil (44.6% and 1.2%, respectively). However, the flower oil was predominant in oxygenated monoterpenes (43.5%). Although both leaf and flower oils showed highest cytotoxicity on A549 cells (61.4%±5.0 and 66.7%±2.2, respectively), only 100 μg/mL flower oil was significantly active against C-6 cells (69.1%±3.1). Interestingly, no toxicity was recorded on normal cells.ConclusionHigher concentration of 1,8-cineole and/or synergistic effect of the overall composition were probably responsible for the efficacy of flower and leaf oils against the tested cells. These oils may form potential source of natural anti-cancer compounds and play important role in human health.

Ageing in India: Financial hardship from health expenditures

“…As in other studies, we also find that women are more vulnerable to the economic impacts of health expenditures, but greater income and household size protect against health-related impoverishment. 28,40 Previous studies have estimated that between 3.2% and 3.8% of the population in India fell into poverty as a result of health care payments. 9,26,41 Our estimate for 2014, which uses more recent data, is that 2% of the population became impoverished due to health spending.…”

“…This work contributes to a growing literature on the economic implications of health expenditures in India among older age groups. 11,22,28,29 2 | METHODS…”

Chemical Composition, Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activities of Essential Oils of Cultivated Clones of Juniperus communis and Wild Juniperus Species

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Comprehensive Analysis of the Chemical Composition and In Vitro Cytotoxic Mechanisms of Pallines Spinosa Flower and Leaf Essential Oils Against Breast Cancer Cells

“…The lavender essential oil extracted from Lavandula angustifolia contains high percentages of linalool and linalyl acetate, which induce apoptosis and the arrest at G2/M phase of cell cycle in PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells [61]. Kumar and coworkers [62] have demonstrated that the essential oils from leaves and flowers of Callistemon citrinus inhibit cell cycle progression at S and G2/M phases in human lung carcinoma (A549) and rat glioma (C-6) cells. In addition, the Asteraceae Artemisia campestris and Artemisia herba-alba essential oils effectively kill Leishmania promastigotes by apoptosis and halting cell cycle at G0/G1 stage [48].…”