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Planta Med 2015; 81(07): 563-567
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1545842
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antitumor Properties of the Leaf Essential Oil of Zornia brasiliensis

Emmanoel V. Costa
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
2   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Leociley R. A. Menezes
3   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Suellen L. A. Rocha
4   Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Ingrid R. S. Baliza
4   Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Rosane B. Dias
4   Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Clarissa A. Gurgel Rocha
4   Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
5   Department of Propedeutics, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Milena B. P. Soares
4   Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
6   Center of Biotechnology and Cell Therapy, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Daniel P. Bezerra
4   Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 18 September 2014
revised 14 January 2015

accepted 16 February 2015

Publication Date:
09 April 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Zornia brasiliensis, popularly known as “urinária”, “urinana”, and “carrapicho”, is a medicinal plant used in Brazilian northeast folk medicine as a diuretic and against venereal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and antitumor potential of the leaf essential oil of Z. brasiliensis. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Its composition was characterized by the presence of trans-nerolidol, germacrene D, trans-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and farnesene as major constituents. In vitro cytotoxicity of the essential oil and some of its major constituents (trans-nerolidol, trans-caryophyllene, and α-humulene) was evaluated for tumor cell lines from different histotypes using the Alamar blue assay. The essential oil, but not the constituents tested, presented promising cytotoxicity. Furthermore, mice inoculated with B16-F10 mouse melanoma were used to confirm its in vivo effectiveness. An in vivo antitumor study showed tumor growth inhibition rates of 1.68–38.61 % (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). In conclusion, the leaf essential oil of Z. brasiliensis presents trans-nerolidol, germacrene D, trans-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and farnesene as major constituents and is able to inhibit cell proliferation in cultures as well as in tumor growth in mice.

Key words

Zornia brasiliensis - Fabaceae - essential oil - cytotoxicity - B16-F10

Supporting Information

 

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