ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF HYMENAEA COURBARIL

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Hymenaea courbaril (jatobá) essential oil (EO), as well as characterize its chemical composition. Methods: The EO was extracted via hydrodistillation from fruits collected in Maranhão, Brazil. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the albumin denaturation inhibition assay, while anticancer activity was tested against multiple human cancer cell lines (colon, lung, cervical, oral, prostate, neuroblastoma, and liver) via SRB assay to determine IC₅₀ values. Chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS. Results: The EO exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 36.17 mg/L), classified as highly active, though less potent than diclofenac and comparable to acetylsalicylic acid. Anticancer activity varied across cell lines, with notable cytotoxicity against neuroblastoma (IMR-32, IC₅₀ = 20.42 mg/L), hepatocarcinoma (HepG2, IC₅₀ = 20.52 mg/L), and colon cancer (SW-620, IC₅₀ = 48.71 mg/L). Chemical analysis revealed a complex composition, dominated by sesquiterpenes (isocaryophyllene: 18.01%, longifolene: 11.65%, γ-cadinene: 8.28%) and monoterpenes (β-pinene dimer: 9.61%), compounds linked to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. Conclusion: Hymenaea courbaril EO demonstrates promising anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential, attributed to its bioactive terpenes and phenolic compounds. The findings highlight its potential as a natural, sustainable alternative for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.