Evaluation of the Anti-Cancer/Anti-Mutagenic Efficiency of Lavandula officinalis Essential Oil

Lavender oil is of a great economic importance. It has many biological and pharmacological activities. The present study aimed to identify the chemical constituents of the essential oil of Lavandula officinalis (LAEO) by using GC/MS analysis. Its genotoxicity, anti-genotoxicity and histopathological activities against the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide (CP) was investigated. The study also evaluated its anticancer activities against six human cancer cell lines: hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), Prostate (PC3), Lung carcinoma (A549), Skin cancer (A431), Colon cancer (HCT116) and Breast cancer (MCF7).

The genotoxicity was determined using: micronucleus, chromosomal aberration, and comet assays. The histopathological study included liver. The examined groups were control negative, control plant, control positive (CP), and 3 combined groups received LAEO at different concentrations plus CP.

GC/MS analysis recorded 16 components. The principals were: linalool and linalyl acetate. The results indicated the safety of LAEO. It also attenuates genotoxicity and deleterious histopathological effects of CP in a dose-dependent manner. LAEO has a highly cytotoxic effect on HepG2 and A549 cell lines with 100% death at 100µg/ ml with IC50 67.8 and 12 µg/ ml, respectively. Its activity on other cell lines was weak.

The essential oil of Lavandula officinalis has anticancer and anti-mutagenic effect.