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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Chemical composition and dual bioefficacy of Chenopodium ambrosioides essential oil: Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic potential

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.9673
Submitted
28 May 2025
Published
11-09-2025
Versions

Abstract

Chenopodium ambrosioides L., a perennial aromatic herb of the family Chenopodiaceae, has long been recognized in ethnomedicine for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of its essential oil obtained from leaves collected in the Western Ghats, South India and to evaluate its cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. Fresh leaves (2000 g) were hydro-distilled to yield 0.85 g (0.0425 %) of pale-yellow essential oil. The chemical profile was determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying 21 constituents representing 85.8 % of the total composition. α-Terpinene (38.2 %) and β-caryophyllene (11.7 %) were the predominant compounds, with notable amounts of ρ-cymene (9.7 %) and trans-carvyl acetate (5.8 %). Cytotoxicity was assessed against A549 human lung cancer cells using the MTT assay. The oil displayed dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability with an IC₅₀ value of 29 ± 1.5 μg/mL. Anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated via the protein denaturation inhibition method using egg albumin, yielding an IC₅₀ value of 116.01 μg/mL. These findings indicate that C. ambrosioides essential oil is rich in bioactive monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, contributing to its significant cytotoxic and moderate anti-inflammatory effects. The results support its traditional medicinal use and suggest potential for developing natural therapeutic agents against cancer and inflammatory conditions. Further studies focusing on individual components and in vivo evaluations are warranted.

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