Chemical composition, antioxidant and anticancer activities of the essential oil
from Eucalyptus citriodora (Hook.) leaves

Mosad A. Ghareeb; Laila A. Refahy; Amal M. Saad; Wafaa S. Ahmed

Abstract

Chemical composition, antioxidant and anticancer activities of the essential oil from Eucalyptus citriodora (Hook.) leaves

Author(s): Mosad A. Ghareeb, Laila A. Refahy, Amal M. Saad and Wafaa S. Ahmed

The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. (Myrtaceae) was isolated via hydrodistillation technique and was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), yield (1.0% v/w). Thirteen compounds were identified in the essential oil representing 88.76% of the total oil composition. Citronellol (33.52%), pulegol (25.20%) and citronellyl acetate (14.70%) were the major components. The antioxidant activity was carried out quantitatively via 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picraylhydrazyl free radical and qualitatively via dot-blot and DPPH staining methods. The anticancer activity was carried out via MTT assay using three human tumor cell lines namely; hepatocellular carcinoma (liver) HePG-2, mammary gland (breast) MCF-7 and colorectal carcinoma (colon) HCT-116. The antioxidant results revealed that Eucalyptus citriodora oil showed antioxidant activity against DPPH radical (SC50= 32.58 μg/ml) in comparison with ascorbic acid as standard (SC50= 7.0 μg/ml), also qualitatively acts as a potent radical scavenger via showing a wide white zone on the purple background in comparison with ascorbic acid and quercetin. Furthermore, the essential oil exhibited high anticancer activity against HCT-116 (IC50= 4.75 μg/ml) followed by MCF-7 (IC50= 8.8 μg/ml) and HepG-2 (IC50= 11.8 μg/ml). In conclusion, Eucalyptus citriodora oil may be a good source of antioxidant and anticancer agents. Citronellol and pulegol as a major components play vital role in antioxidant and anticancer activities of the essential oil.

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