Introduction:

South American biodiversity offers a source of new therapeutic compounds. Cancer remains a major global health issue with high morbidity and mortality. ñandypa (Genipa americana L.), a medicinal plant with various reported properties, was tested for citotoxic activity of the essential oil from their leaves.

Objective:

To determine the in vitro antitumor effect of an essential oil derived from ñandypa on human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (MIA PaCa2).

Methodology:

Essential oils from G. americana leaves were obtained via hydrodistillation, and their chemical composition was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection-Mass Spectrometry (GC-FID-MS). Pancreatic tumor cells and normal fibroblast cells were then tested for antitumor activity. The cells were treated with serial dilutions of the essential oil (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 5%, and 10%). Cell viability was measured using an MTT assay, with results read on a spectrophotometer at 570nm and 630nm.

Results:

GC-FID-MS analysis revealed the oil's primary components were alcohols (17.83%), aldehydes (9.58%), and esters (5.18%). Exposure to the oil for four hours resulted in a high rate of tumor cell mortality, with the effect being more pronounced at higher concentrations. Importantly, the oil was not found to be toxic to normal cells (MRC-5).

Conclusion:

The essential oil of Genipa americana L. exhibits significant, dose-dependent antitumor activity against human pancreatic carcinoma cells (MIA PaCa-2). Notably, it showed no toxicity toward normal human fibroblast cells (MRC-5). These findings, supported by the presence of bioactive compounds like BHT, α-pinene, and β-caryophyllene, suggest its potential as a selective therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer.