Frankincense essential oil nanoemulsion specifically induces lung cancer apoptosis and inhibits survival pathways

Abstract Background The volatile fraction of frankincense ( Boswellia sacra ) oleogum was extracted, formulated in nanoemulsion and tested against lung cancer A549 cell line. First, the gum hydro-distilled to isolate (essential oil), which analyzed via gas chromatography identify its major constituents. Then, oil two water-based nanoemulsions differ from one another presence propylene glycol (PG), is used formulation step as a co-surfactant. pure essential well compound (α-pinene), reference drug (Doxorubicin) were evaluated lines WI-38 normal cells. evaluation included cytotoxicity (MTT IC 50 ), apoptosis (flow cytometric analysis) addition genetic assessments for some intrinsic extrinsic genes relevant survival pathways. Results Chromatographic analysis revealed that α-pinene constituent about 60% oil. Emulsification using low energy technique gave having intense particles population (85–90%) with z-average diameter below 20.0 nm. Frankincense fabricated (PG) showed best cytotoxic activity toward compared PG-free nanoemulsion, doxorubicin, along different incubation periods. Flow also indicated PG-containing can induce cells better than other formula oils. same found upregulate pro-apoptotic [DR5, FAAD, Caspase 8 (Cas8), p53, Bax] downregulate anti-apoptotic reoccurrence (Bcl-2, NF-kB, STAT-3). Most importantly, had least effect on Conclusions These results point out potentials (rich α-pinene) PG-nanoemulsion promising adjuvant plant-source potentiate systematic anti-lung drugs.