Cell death by apoptosis induced by <i>Ocotea indecora</i> (Schott) Mez essential oil in different cancer cell lines

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. Plants from <i>Ocotea</i> genus have been studied for their biological activities. Here we evaluated the antitumor activity of <i>Ocotea indecora</i> essential oil in several cancer cell lines and its phytochemical composition. We performed cell viability using MTT (1000-31.25 μg/mL) using DMSO (negative) and carboplatin (positive) controls. Cytometric and morphological assays analysed cell death pathway. <i>In vivo</i> acute toxicity was assessed in mice (150, 300, and 900 mg/kg) and GCMC for phytochemical analysis. The oil showed sesquirosefuran as the main metabolite and was cytotoxic against all cell lines tested, mainly HEPG2 (human hepatoblastoma cell) (IC₅₀=44.9 µg/mL), was selective (SI = 1.69) and tolerated in mice. Apoptosis is the main cell death pathway as indicated by the presence of active caspase 3/7 and morphological characteristics. In conclusion, the oil was effective against HEPG2 cells and could be considered for future cancer studies.