Assessment of cytotoxic impact of wild grown Lavandula angustifolia essential oil encapsulated in liposomes and nanoemulsions on DU145 cancer cell line

Year 2025, Volume: 29 Issue: 1, 476 - 485

Toskë Kryeziu , Mimoza Basholli Salihu , Aida Shala , Art Çunaku Venesa Lupçi , Ufuk Bağcı , Entela Haloci Gjoshe Stefkov Andreas Zimmer

Abstract

The cytotoxic activity of free and nanoencapsulated essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia (LEO) was
evaluated in this study. The aim was to produce different nanoformulations (NF) of LEO to improve the
physicochemical properties of NF and the cytotoxic activity of LEO in the DU145 cancer cell line. Essential oil-based
liposomes (LEO-Lipoid S100, -Ph 85G, and -Ph 90H) and nanoemulsions (LEO-NE) were prepared by ethanol injection
method and high-pressure homogenization, respectively. LEO demonstrates measurable in vitro cytotoxic activity
against the DU145 cell line (IC50 75 µg/mL). NE and Ph90H LS significantly enhanced its cytotoxic activity, while LEO
Lipoid S100 LS and LEO-Ph 85G LS showed no significant difference. LEO-Ph 90H LS and LEO-NE demonstrate stable
nanosystems and enhanced cytotoxic potential against the DU-145 cancer cell line, suggesting promising therapeutic
benefits for future application. Further studies involving in vivo experiments are necessary to validate and extend these
findings.

Keywords

Lavandula angustifolia, essential oil, liposome, nanoemulsion, DU145, cancer cell line

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