Rosmarinus officinalis suppresses cancer cell viability and inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells: in vitro and in silico analysis

Abstract

Called widely as rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis is a fragrant herb that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and wide range of bioactive components. In order to better understand the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of R. officinalis essential oil (ROEO), this study will examine it. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) examinations revealed that 1,8-cineole (37.24%) was the main constituent in ROEO, followed by α-pinene (18.43%) and camphor (13.04%). In addition, while maintaining the survival of normal cells, ROEO demonstrated notable cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 (IC50 = 1.72 ± 0.25 µg/mL), HepG2 (IC50 = 21.91 ± 2.11 µg/mL) and HCT-15 cancer cell lines (IC50 = 27.24 ± 3.44 µg/mL). Moreover, ROEO effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory agent as demonstrated by the remarkable inhibition of LPS-induced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, through the use of density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking investigations, we were able to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms and uncover important interactions between ROEO and proteins involved in pathways related to diseases and inflammation. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of essential oil of ROEO, indicating that it is a good option for upcoming anti-inflammatory and anticancer treatments.