Cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of Echinophora tenuifolia essential oil in lung and mesothelioma cancer cell lines

Essential oils are compounds isolated from aromatic plants, in liquid form at room temperature, and have an intense odor. In this thesis study; the effects of Echinophora tenuifolia essential oil on cytotoxicity, cell proliferation and apoptotic processes in lung cancer (A549) and mesothelioma cancer (SPC212) cell lines were investigated. It was determined that E. tenuifolia essential oil had a significant cytotoxic activity in A549 and SPC212 cell lines at all doses and incubation times studied. There was an increase in the number of cells in G0/G1 in A549 cells treated with essential oil, and an increase in the number of cells in G2/M in SPC212 cells. An increase in the number of early apoptotic, late apoptotic and necrotic cells was observed in both cells treated with essential oil. A dose-dependent increase in Caspase-3 enzyme activation and mitochondrial membrane depolarization was seen in both cell lines. As a result, findings have been obtained that Echinophora tenuifolia essential oil triggers the apoptotic mechanism.