Cytotoxic activity of essential oil from Leaves of Myrcia splendens against A549 Lung Cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Plants of the Myrcia genus have been widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases, including cancer. Myrcia splendens species has a diverse chemical constitution, but the biological activities of its essential oil have not been well investigated. In this study to out the chemistry characterization of essential oil (EO) from the leaves of the species M. splendens from Brazil and evaluate cytotoxic effect in A549 lung cancer cells. METHODS: M. splendens EO was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). EO was isolated and evaluated for cellular viability in tumor cell lines by MTT assay. The evaluation of the formation of clones and the migratory capacity of the A549 cells treated with EO was done by the clonogenic assay and the wound healing assay. Morphological changes were observed in A549 cells by fluorescence using Phalloidin/FITC and DAPI. RESULTS: 22 compounds were identified in the chemical analysis of EO, corresponding to 88% of the sample. Major compounds were the sesquiterpenic hydrocarbons bicyclogermacrene (15.4%), germacrene D (8.9%) and E-caryophyllene (10.1%). The biological analysis of the EO showed high cytotoxic activity with an IC50 below 20 µg/ml in the THP-1, A549 and B16-F10 tumor cells. The treatment with EO reduced colony formation and inhibited the migratory capacity of A549 cells. Furthermore, apoptotic morphological changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm of A549 cells was observed after of treatment with EO. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the M. splendens EO has cytotoxic compounds for the A549 lung cancer cells. Treatment with the EO decreased the colony formation and reduced the ability of lung cancer cells to migrate. Future studies may be used to isolate compounds from the EO for the study of lung cancer.

Biochanin A as a modulator of the inflammatory response: An updated overview and therapeutic potential.

Uncontrolled inflammation and failure to resolve the inflammatory response are crucial factors involved in the progress of inflammatory diseases. Current therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling excessive inflammation are effective in some cases, though they may be accompanied by severe side effects, such as immunosuppression. Phytochemicals as a therapeutic alternative can have a fundamental impact on the different stages of inflammation and its resolution. Biochanin A (BCA) is an isoflavone known for its wide range of pharmacological properties, especially its marked anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies have provided evidence of BCA's abilities to activate events essential for resolving inflammation. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings from pre-clinical studies of the pharmacological effects of BCA on the complex signaling network associated with the onset and resolution of inflammation and BCA's potential protective functionality in several models of inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, pulmonary disease, neuroinflammation, and metabolic disease.