CYTOTOXIC EFFECT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF PETROLEUM ETHER EXTRACT OF TILIA CORDATA MILL

Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate the chemical composition of petroleum ether extract of Tilia cordata aerial parts as well as to evaluate its cytotoxic activity. Methods: Gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to analyze the unsaponifiable matter and fatty acid methyl esters. Moreover, the cytotoxicity was examined against human hepatoma HepG2 cell line and breast adenocarcinoma MCF cell line. Results: The result showed that thirteen compounds were identified in the fatty acid methyl esters fraction representing 93.71% of the total identified peak area. The major compounds were Octadecanoic acid methyl ester (36.26%) and eicosanoic acid methyl ester (29.42%), whereas nineteen compounds in the unsaponifiable fraction were identified representing 90.56 % of the total beak area. The major compounds were 1-Nonene (30.44%), 1-Hexadecene (24.83%) and phytol (10.40%). Moreover, petroleum ether extract showed a potent cytotoxic effect against human hepatoma HepG2 cell line and a moderate cytotoxic effect on breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 human tumor cell line. Conclusion: So the current research aims to be the first step toward the use of petroleum ether extract of Tilia cordata aerial parts as a potent cytotoxic drug.