Cytotoxic activity of ethanolic extracts of Lippia graveolens HBK leaves and stem against lung cancer cell line SK-LU-1

Abstract

Lippia graveolens HBK (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic herb of economic importance in Mexico, known as oregano. The leaves are used as condiments, and people use this species for respiratory and digestive disorders. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of ethanolic extracts obtained from free-oil leaves (L9) and stem (S15), against lung cancer cell line SK-LU-1, through tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay. Extracts concentrations of 0.3 to 300 μg/mL were used and HFF-1 as normal control cells. Both L9 and S15 extracts, showed cytotoxic effect, although stem was stronger than leaves and without damage to normal cell control. The phenolic compounds caffeic acid and acacetin were in higher concentration in L9, whereas naringenin, taxifolin, eriodictyol, luteolin, and apigenin had higher concentrations in S15. The ethanolic extracts of L. graveolens have excellent cytotoxic activity, and have a wide possibility of use in lung cancer treatment.