Chemical composition and in vitro cytotoxic activity of Xylopia aethiopical (Dun) A. Rich. (Annonaceae) fruit essential oil from Togo

Essential oil extracted (4.4% in yield) from air-dried fruits of Xylopia aethiopica harvested in Togo was investigated for percentage composition and in vitro cytotoxicity. The chemical composition of the essential oil was examined by GC and GUMS. Thirty-five compounds were identified representing 89.9% of total oil. The major constituents were beta-pinene (23.6%), alpha-pinene (11%), sabinene (9.8%), germacrene D (8.3%) and 1,8 cineole (8.2%). The cytotoxicity of the volatile oil was evaluated in vitro on the human epidermal cell line HaCaT. The tested sample did not show any cytotoxicity (IC50 >3000 mu g.ml(-1)) effect at concentrations around 3000 mu g.ml(-1). Further testing in bioassay would probably help in validating some of medicinal uses of X. aethiopica in topical drugs and/or in cosmetics as natural products.