Investigation of cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of some herbal essenti?al oils used for tanning, on normal and cancer skin cells

In this study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of cocoa and apricot oils were investigated on malignant melanoma (Malme-3M) and normal skin fibroblast (CRL-2120) cells. The cell viability was determined by WST-1, MTT and NR uptake methods, apoptotic effect on cell?s morphology by AO/EB flourescien staining, p53 protein level and localization by immune-fluorescein method with fluorescence microscope. DNA content analysis of the cells and cell cycle arrest rates, caspase-2 enzyme activation levels were measured by using flow cytometry. CRL-2120 cells? sensitivities against UV-B rays were determined by trypan blue staining and combine effect of essential oils with selected UV-B doses was investigated using of WST-1 method. Malme-3M cells that are treated by essential oils have characteristic apoptotic morphology, both of two oils induced G1 and S phases of the cell cycle arrest. Increase of p53 levels were observed in nucleus of cocoa oil treated cells, in cytoplasma and nucleus of apricot oil treated cells. However, a weak increase of caspase-2 enzyme levels were determined depending on incubation times. In addition, with this investigation, essential oils haven?t any protective effects against to UV-B rays were revealed. Keywords: Malme-3M, CRL-2120, apoptosis, p53, UV-B, caspase-2