ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY IN VITRO OF CHENOPODIUM AMBROSIOIDES L. ESSENTIAL OIL

Objective: This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activities of essential oil (EO) from Chenopodium ambrosioides. Methods: Leaves were collected in Maranhão, Brazil, and the EO was extracted via hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus. Antioxidant activity was assessed through the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Anticancer activity was evaluated on various cancer cell lines, including colon, lung, liver, and prostate, using the SRB assay to determine the inhibitory concentration (IC50). The chemical composition was analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify main bioactive compounds. Results: The EO exhibited strong antioxidant activity, particularly in the ABTS assay (IC50 = 3.43 mg/L). For anticancer evaluation, it showed significant cytotoxicity in colon cells (IC50 = 13.18 mg/L), liver cells (IC50 = 14.07 mg/L), and neuroblastoma cells (IC50 = 13.95 mg/L). Chemical analysis revealed high levels of α-terpinene (56.33%), ascaridole (11.25%), and p-cymene (10.21%), compounds linked to antitumor effects. Variability in EO composition across regions indicated multiple chemotypes. Conclusion: The EO of C. ambrosioides shows promise as a natural antioxidant and anticancer agent, with notable in vitro efficacy attributed to its bioactive monoterpenes. Further in vivo and clinical studies are required to confirm its safety and therapeutic potential. These findings highlight the pharmacological potential of medicinal plants and underscore the need for standardized extraction and application methods.