Dose-Dependent Cytotoxic Effects of Lavandula angustifolia L. Oil on A549 Human Lung Carcinoma Cells

BACKGROUND We investigated the dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of Lavandula angustifolia L. (L. angustifolia L.) oil on A549 human lung carcinoma cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS A549 human lung carcinoma cells (ATCC CCL-185) were acquired in cryopreserved form, with the catalog number CCL-185 that is commercially available, and cultured using F-12K medium (Kaighn's modification of Ham's F-12, ATCC 30-2004), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (ATCC 30-2020) and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic solution (Gibco 15240062). Five working concentrations of L. angustifolia L. oil (10, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μg/mL) were prepared. The antiproliferative effect was assessed using the MTT cell viability assay. RESULTS Treatment of A549 human lung carcinoma cells with varying concentrations of L. angustifolia L. oil resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability by MTT assay. L. angustifolia oil exerts significant antiproliferative activity, with higher doses producing more profound cytotoxicity. There was a marked reduction in cell density, and the formation of prominent intercellular gaps, indicative of extensive cell death, was detected. Loss of adhesion and cell rounding have been associated with cytotoxic effects. CONCLUSIONS L. angustifolia L. oil has good potential to inhibit the viability of A549 human lung carcinoma cells. It exhibits moderate antiproliferative activity. L. angustifolia oil exerts significant antiproliferative activity against A549 cells. It affects cell morphology that is indicative of extensive cell death.