Cistus libanotis from Algeria: Phytochemical analysis by GC/MS, HS-SPME-GC/MS, LC–MS/MS and its anticancer activity

In this paper, Cistus libanotis ( Cistus clusii Dunal) from Algeria was investigated. This plant is utilized in numerous industries, mostly in perfumery and, more recently, as a raw material for dietary supplements. For the first time, the present study evaluated the anticancer potential of Algerian C. libanotis by performing a comprehensive phytochemical investigation. The volatile fraction of the fresh plant material of C. libanotis was investigated using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to GC-MS, and the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of C. libanotis was examined using GC-MS technique; additionally, the phenolic compounds were identified and quantified using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). A healthy cell line (L929) and two cancer cell lines (CAPAN-1 and dld-1) were used to test the ethanolic extract's cytotoxicity. HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis identified sabinene (25.3 %) and α -thujene (23.8 %) as principal components. In EO the major ingredients were γ -terpinene (17.4 %), camphene (16.13 %), α -phellandrene (15.36 %), and 4-carene (13.54 %). Nevertheless, 24 components were identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis and shikimic acid, luteolin and hesperidin were most abundant. Further, the ethanolic extract of C. libanotis showed a significant cytotoxic effect against dld-1 and CAPAN-1 cell lines, while it was less active against the healthy cell line L929. • Sabinene and α-thujene were the major components found in the volatile fraction of C. libanotis. • C. libanotis EO was rich in monoterpenes such as γ-terpinene, camphene and α-phellandrene. • Shikimic acid, luteolin and hesperidin were the principal detected phenolic compounds. • The ethanolic extract of C. libanotis showed cytotoxic effect against dld-1 and CAPAN-1 cell lines.