Valorization of deoiled herb of Mentha arvensis via phytochemical investigation and anticancer activity against breast cancer

Considering the circular economy of zero waste, the valorization of deoiled herbs is an emerging method to improve their value. In the present study, the deoiled cake of Mentha arvensis was used for phytochemical investigation and assessed for anticancer activity. Initially, the phytochemical investigation of deoiled cake of corn mint leads to the isolation of nine known compounds belonging to cinnamates, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids ( 1–9 ). The isolated compounds showed excellent anticancer activity against breast cancer and moderate activity against skin and cervical cancer, and no toxicity was observed against normal kidney cells. Furthermore, the potent compounds ( 6 & 8 ) produce oxidative stress in the mitochondria, disrupt the mitochondrial membrane and nuclear structure, and ultimately cause MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. The western blot analysis showed that compounds 6 & 8 increase the expression of NRF2/HO-1 and intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathway in breast cancer. Together, the deoiled herb of M. arvensis is valorized by using it as an anticancer agent against breast cancer. • Valorization of deoiled herb of Mentha arvensis after pyrolysis. • Phytochemical investigation of deoiled herb for anticancer activity. • Isolated compounds showed excellent cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells. • Potent compounds generate ROS and permeabilizes the mitochondrial membrane. • Potent compounds induce apoptosis via NRF/HO-1 signalling pathway.