In vitro cytotoxicity of Cuminum cyminum essential oil loaded SLN nanoparticle

Encapsulation of essential oils (EOs) into the nano-carrier leads to reduced EOs volatility and oxidation, as well as increased therapeutic efficiency. This study assessed the chemical composition and cytotoxic effects of cumin essential oil (CEO) and nano-encapsulation cumin essential oil (NECEO) against three cancer cell lines. 

Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulations were evaluated for their size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency (EE). Isolation of the CEO and NECEO and their chemical composition were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Cytotoxicity of CEO and NECEO against human lung cancer (A549), human breast cancer (MCF7), and human prostate cancer (PC3) was examined using MTT assay. 

Our findings showed that in CEO and NECEO, the major component was cuminaldehyde (24.5 and 26.0%, respectively). GC/MS analysis of NECEO chemical composition exposed 27 components in EOs accounting for 91.5 and 98.9% of CEO and NECEO, respectively. The results showed that solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) induced the concentration of the main volatile components. Based on the characterization of SLN, the EE percent ranged from 23.00±4.1% to 96.21±5.5%. The loading capacity (LC) of NECEO ranged between 0.00±0.0 to 7.05±0.5%. Moreover, the yield of NECEO was 79.14%. Based on results, Z-average, polydispersity index, and zeta potentials of formulation were 1252±21.4 nm, 0.423±0.03, and 17±0.52, respectively. The IC50 value of NECEO (after 48 h) against MCF7, A549, and PC3 (108, 213, and 124 μg/mL, respectively) was significantly lower than CEO (231, 219, and 325 μg/mL, respectively). 

The results suggested that NECEO can be regarded as a promising nutrient source. These observations could be used as a basis for future experiments to further evaluate potential nanoparticles and other medicinal plant species.