Antioxidant and Anti-Proliferative Activity of Essential Oil and Main Components from Leaves of Aloysia polystachya Harvested in Central Chile.

Alejandra Catalina Moller,Bastian Said,Nelson Caro,Joan Villena,Alejandro Madrid,Susana Flores,Alessandra Russo,Carol Parra,Iván Montenegro,Enrique Werner

doi:10.3390/molecules26010131

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine, first, the chemical composition of Aloysia polystachya (Griseb) Moldenke essential oil, from leaves harvested in central Chile; and second, its antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Eight compounds were identified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses, with the most representative being R-carvone (91.03%), R-limonene (4.10%), and dihydrocarvone (1.07%). For Aloysia polystachya essential oil, antioxidant assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP)) showed good antioxidant activity compared to commercial antioxidant controls; and anti-proliferative assays against three human cancer cell lines (colon, HT-29; prostate, PC-3; and breast, MCF-7) determined an IC50 of 5.85, 6.74, and 9.53 µg/mL, and selectivity indices of 4.75, 4.12, and 2.92 for HT-29, PC-3, and MCF-7, respectively. We also report on assays with CCD 841 CoN (colon epithelial). Overall, results from this study may represent, in the near future, developments for natural-based cancer treatments.

Highlights

IntroductionAloysia polystachya (Griseb) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic shrub that grows throughout South America and whose leaves enjoy widespread use to aromatize “mate” or “tereré” [2] (popularly known as “Té del Burrito” [3], a denomination originating in the Argentinean mountains), or as folk medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastritis, and anxiety disorders [4]
[9]. the literature show that alcoholic extracts of this plant exhibit biologicalNevertheless, effects, including antioxidant
The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical conconstituents of the essential oil extracted from fresh leaves of A. polystachya growing in stituents of the essential oil extracted from fresh leaves of A. polystachya growing in Chile

Summary

Introduction

Aloysia polystachya (Griseb) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic shrub that grows throughout South America and whose leaves enjoy widespread use to aromatize “mate” or “tereré” [2] (popularly known as “Té del Burrito” [3], a denomination originating in the Argentinean mountains), or as folk medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastritis, and anxiety disorders [4]. A denomination originating in plant the Argentinean moun- effects, Data from the show[3], that alcoholic extracts of this exhibit biological tains), or as folk medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastritis, and anxiety including antioxidant [5], antitumor [6], antispasmodic [7], anxiolytic [8], anddisantidepresorders [4].

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion