GC-MS Analysis and In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae) Volatile Oil and Thymol on Cancer Cells

Background: Cancer is one of the most prominent causes death worldwide. Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (Lamiaceae) leaves are used in many countries as a spice or medicine. Objectives: This study investigated essential oil O. and its major constituent, thymol, for cytotoxic activity against breast (AU565) cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. Methods: Preliminary screening was carried out using bench-top assay methods cytotoxicity involving use tadpoles Raniceps raninus (10-40 μg/mL) brine shrimp Artemia salina (10-1000 growth inhibition radicle Sorghum bicolor seeds (1-30 mg/mL). Antiproliferation verified by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Chromatographic separation resulted fractions sub-fractions, which were also subjected to biological testing. The components active subfraction further identified gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: Remarkable activities seen R. A. nauplii. Growth inhibitory on S. seed radicles produced concentration-dependent. possessed greater lines than oil, with action +85.07% +29.20% AU565 HeLa cells, respectively. Thymol constituent (22.49%) increased 94.31% subfraction.