Phytochemistry and Antiproliferative Potential of a Naturalized Plant in Jordan: Lavandula stoechas

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality, and medicinal plants offer potential anticancer agents due to their biological activities and minimal side effects. Lavandula stoechas L., a Mediterranean species, shows significant pharmacological potential. This study evaluated the composition, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of L. stoechas aqueous, methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), ethyl acetate, and chloroform extracts from a naturalized plant in Jordan. The aroma profile and composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil were also determined. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified fenchone, camphor, α-pinene and borneol as major constituents, with solid-phase microextraction revealing fenchone and α-thujene as dominant volatile compounds. Phytochemical analysis showed the EtOH extract had the highest total phenolic content (147.60 ± 31.80 mg/g) and total flavonoid content (84.56 ± 4.33 mg/g), while the MeOH extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (409.83 ± 3.13 µM TE/g). The EtOH extract displayed cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 22.79 to 94.06 µg/mL against various cancer cell lines. Liquid chromatography-MS analysis identified rosmarinic acid as the most abundant compound (28.71%), which may contribute to the biological activity. This study highlights the potent antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of L. stoechas, especially the EtOH extract.