CHARACTERIZATION, CHEMICAL PROFILE, AND ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF CYMBOPOGON WINTERIANUS NANOEMULSION

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the chemical profile of Cymbopogon winterianus essential oil (EO) and evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of its nanoemulsion (NEO) against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Methods: EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. NEO was prepared by phase inversion and tested against twelve human cancer cell lines using the SRB assay. Results: GC-MS analysis identified 24 compounds, with isopulegol (40.56%), geraniol (20.15%), bornyl acetate (12.32%), terpinolene (5.10%), and α-muurolene (4.15%) as the major constituents. The chemical profile differed from previously reported compositions, reflecting chemotypic diversity influenced by geographical and environmental factors. NEO exhibited potent and selective cytotoxicity, with IC50 values ranging from 3.81 to 31.68 mg/L. The highest activity was observed against colon 502713 (3.81 mg/L), neuroblastoma IMR-32 (4.00 mg/L), Hep-2 (4.03 mg/L), and cervical SiHa (4.67 mg/L) cells. Moderate activity was observed against SW-620 (12.71 mg/L), DU-145 (17.67 mg/L), and HT-29 (18.03 mg/L). Lower sensitivity was observed for HOP-62 (31.68 mg/L). The observed anticancer effects are attributed to the presence of oxygenated monoterpenes, particularly geraniol and isopulegol, which are known to induce apoptosis, modulate cell cycle regulators, and inhibit angiogenesis. Conclusion: C. winterianus EO presents a promising and selective anticancer profile, particularly against colon, neuroblastoma, and cervical cancer cells.