GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS AND CYTOTOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF PETROLEUM ETHER EXTRACT OF TROPAEOLUM MAJUS LEAVES ON MDA-MB-231 HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELL LINE

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical components present in the petroleum ether extract of Tropaeolum majus leaves using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and to assess its cytotoxic effects on the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. Methods: Petroleum ether extract was obtained from shade-dried leaves of T. majus through Soxhlet extraction and analyzed by GC-MS to identify its lipophilic constituents. The cytotoxic potential of the extract was evaluated on MDA-MB-231 cells using the WST-1 assay across a concentration range of 0.01–100 μg/mL. Results: The GC-MS analysis identified various chemical constituents, including fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and diterpenoids, with hexadecanoic acid and isophytol being predominant. According to the WST-1 assay, the extract exhibited minimal cytotoxicity toward MDA-MB-231 cells, as cell viability remained above 86% even at the maximum tested concentration of 100 μg/mL. Conclusion: The petroleum ether extract of T. majus leaves was found to contain several bioactive lipophilic constituents; however, it did not demonstrate notable cytotoxic effects against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells at the concentrations tested. Additional research involving higher doses or different extract fractions is suggested to better assess its potential anticancer properties.