Antioxidant, Anti-Tyrosinase and Anticancer Effects of Essential Oil From Cymbopogon citratus: In Vitro Study
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Abstract
Bioactive compounds derived from natural sources have gained increasing interest for their potential applications in skincare and therapeutic products. The essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass essential oil; LGEO) has been widely incorporated into cosmetic formulations such as soaps, balms, ointments, creams, and shampoos. This study evaluated the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and cytotoxic properties of LGEO. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays, while anti-tyrosinase activity was assessed using dopachrome assay. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated in normal fibroblast and murine melanoma cell lines. LGEO exhibited significant antioxidant activity at 5 mg/mL, with maximal inhibition values of 56.29 ± 5.64% (DPPH) and 81.15 ± 3.45% (ABTS). At a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, LGEO demonstrated notable anti-tyrosinase activity (52.13 ± 0.96%). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that LGEO at 0.5 mg/mL reduced murine melanoma cell viability by more than 50% without affecting normal fibroblast viability. These findings highlight the potential of LGEO as a multifunctional bioactive ingredient for skincare applications, offering antioxidant and skin-lightening effects alongside selective anticancer activity with minimal cytotoxicity toward normal cells.
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