GC-MS profiling and evaluation of anti-tyrosinase and anti-proliferative activities of <i>Curcuma amada</i> leaf essential oil: An integrated experimental and <i>in silico</i> approach

<i>Curcuma amada</i> Roxb. (Zingiberacae) is a highly valued rhizomatous perennial herb widely recognized for its culinary and medicinal properties. However, the anti-tyrosinase and anti-proliferative properties of <i>C. amada</i> leaf essential oil (CALEO) remain unexplored Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and bioactivities of CALEO with an <i>in silico</i> analysis of its major constituents. A total of 46 compounds, accounting for 90.56% of the total oil, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. CALEO was characterized by a high content of monoterpene hydrocarbons with camphor (13.48%) being the predominant constituent. CALEO showed significant antiproliferative activity against PC3, A375 and HepG2 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 26.67, 39.14 and 30.89 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, CALEO exhibited potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 95.05 μg/mL) when compared to kojic acid (IC₅₀: 82.84 μg/mL). Curdione, β-caryophyllene, germacrone and ar-turmerone showed strong binding affinities (&lt; −5.5 kcal/mol) against mushroom tyrosinase, Bcl-2 and EGFR proteins. PASS prediction results highlighted the dermatological, antimetastatic and antineoplastic potential of spathulenol and β-caryophyllene. The cell-line cytotoxicity predictor (CLC) results predicted that all the major constituents have strong anticancer activity against various cancerous cell lines. The present results suggest that CALEO could be used as a biologically active natural product with promising antiproliferative and dermatoprotective effects.