10082- ET-9 ANTITUMOR AROMA THERAPY WITH FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL FOR GLIOBLASTOMA
Norihiko Saito, Nozomi Hirai, Yuki Koyahara, Yu Hiramoto, Satoshi Fujita, Haruo Nakayama, Morito Hayashi, Keisuke Ito, Satoshi IwabuchiAbstract
INTRODUCTION
Aromatic essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. We previously investigated the antitumor effects of aromatic essential oils administered by inhalation as a novel treatment for glioblastoma. The aromatic monoterpene α-pinene, a component of many essential oils, is known to inhibit tumor growth. This study analyzed the antitumor effects of frankincense essential oil, mainly composed of α-pinene, and explored its potential for antitumor aroma therapy in glioblastoma.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Human glioblastoma cells (U87, T98G) and mouse brain tumor cells (RSV-M) were used. Tumor cells cultured in the presence of frankincense essential oil for 72 hours showed growth inhibition, suggesting that the evaporated components acted on nearby tumor cells. α-Pinene and limonene, the main components of frankincense, also showed similar effects alone. Inhalation studies in mice demonstrated that 30 minutes of α-pinene inhalation had the same brain transfer effect as 90 minutes. Intraperitoneal administration of α-pinene showed minimal brain transfer. For limonene, brain transfer increased with 90 minutes of inhalation compared to 30 minutes. Inhalation resulted in higher brain transfer than intraperitoneal administration. Additionally, α-pinene’s antitumor effects suggested induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
DISCUSSION
α-Pinene, comprising about 40% of frankincense essential oil, was found to inhibit tumor cell growth in malignant gliomas. This study suggests that α-pinene exerts antitumor effects when administered by inhalation.
CONCLUSION
α-Pinene in frankincense essential oil has antitumor effects and may be a novel “aroma” therapy for treating glioblastoma.