Biological studies of turmeric oil, part 2: Isolation and characterization of turmeric oil components; cytotoxic activity against pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract

The current study is directed at identifying compounds that have biological activity in the less studied oil fraction of Curcuma longa (turmeric) to treat pancreatic cancer, which has no good treatment options. Fractional distillation and chromatographic separation of turmeric oil (TO) gave column fractions (CF) having biological activity against the PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell line, with an EC50 in the range of 23 to 33 μg/mL. These fractions were analyzed by NMR and GCMS and found to contain the sesquiterpenes, ar-curcumene, 7-epi-zingiberene, β-sesquiphellandrene, curlone, α-turmerone, β-turmerone and ar-turmerone. The ability of TO components to induce cell death was independent of caspase activity. Potency was higher at lower cell density and was reduced by increasing serum concentration, the latter indicating serum binding of active components.