Evaluation of Anticancer, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Jasminum sambac Linn. Essential Oil

Abstract

Objective: The current study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of Jasminum sambac Linn. essential oil (JEO) by investigating its pharmacological potentials, specifically its anticancer (using MCF-7 cells), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Methods: With the anti-inflammatory activity assessed as red blood cell membrane stabilization and protein denaturation assay), antioxidant properties tested in DPPH and ABTS assay, and antimicrobial activity screened through disc diffusion method, anti-cancer functions were probed using NCF-7 breast cancer cells. The treatment of these cells with acridine orange–ethidium bromide (AOEtBr) stain helped checking the incidence of apoptotic body formation in the nuclear compartments. Results: The trial treating JEO on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) evinced no signs of cytotoxic changes revealing that JEO is exclusively cancer-cell-specific in action provides added value to this study. Free-radical scavenging activity confirms the antioxidant properties as the anti-inflamatory action is vouched in respective assays. Additionally, JEO is found to exert antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Escherichia coli, and the fungal yeast Candida albicans in disc diffusion assay stretching its manifold utility. Conclusion: Although the present results are convincing, it must be acknowledged that further research focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms is necessary. Nevertheless, the positive cues gathered on the therapeutic attributes of JEO lend credence to the folk notion that jasmine flowers can be used as an effective medicament for breast ailments.