Melissa officinalis L. essential oil: antitumoral and antioxidant activities

Melissa officinalis L (lemon balm) is a traditional herbal medicine used widely as a mild sedative, spasmolytic and antibacterial agent. This paper focuses on the analysis of the chemical composition and the biological activities of M. officinalis essential oil obtained under controlled harvesting a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology 2004-05, Vol.56 (5), p.677-681
Main Authors: de Sousa, Allyne Carvalho, Gattass, Cerli Rocha, Alviano, Daniela Sales, Alviano, Celuta Sales, Blank, Arie Fitzgerald, Alves, Péricles Barreto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry
Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology
Antioxidants - pharmacology
Cell Line
Cell Survival - drug effects
Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
Humans
Melissa - chemistry
Melissa officinalis
Mice
Oils, Volatile - chemistry
Oils, Volatile - pharmacology
Plant Leaves - chemistry
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Summary:Melissa officinalis L (lemon balm) is a traditional herbal medicine used widely as a mild sedative, spasmolytic and antibacterial agent. This paper focuses on the analysis of the chemical composition and the biological activities of M. officinalis essential oil obtained under controlled harvesting and drying conditions. An in‐vitro cytotoxicity assay using MTT indicated that this oil was very effective against a series of human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF‐7, Caco‐2, HL‐60, K562) and a mouse cell line (B16F10). This oil possessed antioxidant activity, as evidenced by reduction of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH). These results pointed to the potential use of M. officinalis essential oil as an antitumoral agent.
ISSN:0022-3573
2042-7158
DOI:10.1211/0022357023321