Planta Med 2014; 80 - P1L44
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394701

Assessment of the properties of the essential oil from Ridolfia segetum Moris (Portugal) on cancer cell viability

J Poças 1, 3, M Lemos 1, C Cabral 2, C Cavaleiro 2, MT Cruz 2, L Salgueiro 2, I Pires 3
  • 1ESTM, GIRM, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2520 – 641 Peniche, Portugal
  • 2Faculty of Pharmacy/CEF and CNC, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Universidade de Coimbra, 3000 – 354 Coimbra, Portugal
  • 3School of Biological, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Hardy Building, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX, United Kingdom

Ridolfia segetum Moris, commonly known as corn parsley, false fennel, or false caraway, is distributed throughout the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the Apiaceae (carrot or parsley family), which includes well-known aromatic and medicinal plants with characteristic hollow stems. R. segetum is used in traditional medicine to prevent constipation, coughing and respiratory tract infections. The present work aimed to characterize the chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the flowering aerial parts of R. segetum collected in Portugal, as well as to evaluate its citotoxic activity, specifically looking at the effect on viability of human colorectal cancer (RKO) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines. The essential oils characterization was addressed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the assessment of cell viability was made by the MTS assay. The main compounds of the oil are α-phellandrene (63.3%) and terpinolene (11.9%). The essential oil, at final concentration of 1µL/mL, lead to a decrease in cell viability for both RKO (colorectal) and MCF7 (breast) cancer cell lines. IC50 values were 7.34E-02 µL/mL and 3.33E-02 µL/mL, for RKO and MCF7 cell lines, respectively. This study shows that R. segetum essential oil decreases RKO and MCF7 cell viability. However, further research is necessary in order to clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the observed effects, and consequently, any potential anticancer therapeutic applications.

Acknowledgements: IP would like to thank Dr. Stephen Maher and Dr. Elena Rosca for useful discussions. IP is supported by University of Hull HEFCE funding, and Royal Society and Breast Cancer Campaign pilot grants. JP is supported by Erasmus training programme funds and research funding from the School of Biological, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of Hull. Part of this work was funded by FCT, under the project CEF/POCI2010/FEDER.

Keywords: Ridolfia segetum, Essential oil, Anticancer properties