Linalool Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Mediated Apoptosis in Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells

Development of oral cancer is associated with excessive cell proliferation, deregulation in cellular differentiation, insufficient apoptosis and genomic instability. Linalool is a natural monoterpene, contained in edible plants, considered to have potent antioxidant nature. In this context, it should be necessitate in broadening the understanding of the anticancer potential of linalool in experimental oral cancer model, which could be beneficial in anticancer therapy. Hence, this study is intended to assess the anticancer quality of linalool in keratin-forming tumor cell line. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was conducted to find out the half maximal inhibitory concentration of linalool in keratin-forming tumor cell line. Linalool induced the loss of cell viability or cell death by a clear dose and time dependent manner. The half maximal inhibitory concentration on keratin-forming tumor cell line cells is 13, 24 and 45 mu M for 24, 48 and 72 h respectively. Morphological changes, increased level of intracellular level of reactive oxygen species and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential of keratin-forming tumor cell line cells were evidently visualized on staining. Early growth 1 phase arrest in the cell cycle of keratin-forming tumor cell line cells was confirmed on dose and time dependent manner when compared with control during linalool treatment. Linalool treatment in various concentrations in vitro in keratinforming tumor cell line cells was able to reduce cell viability as compared to its counterparts. This study showed that linalool was a potent growth inhibitor of keratin-forming tumor cell line. In near future in vivo screening for its anticancer activity will be warranted and a linkage map will be developed between in vivo and in vitro studies.