Integrated Chemical, Computational, and Cellular Profiling of a Dual-Oil Melanoma Formulation: An Exploratory Life-Science Study
Katarina Dunjic, Momir Dunjic, Marina Gazdic Jankovic, Marina Miletic Kovacevic, Nikolina Kastratovic, Biljana Ljujic, Tatjana Novakovic, Milan Filipovic, Tatjana Filipovic, Zhao Jing, Marija Dunjic, Miroslav M. Sovrlić, Sandra S. Konstantinović, Jelena S. Stanojević, Milan D. Kostić, Stefano TuriniBackground: Previous studies have examined bioactive constituents of Prunus dulcis oil, Pinus sylvestris essential oil, and related phytochemical matrices separately; however, their combined chemical profile, comparator-context molecular-docking landscape, and comparative cellular response in melanoma and non-malignant fibroblast models remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: The analyzed study samples were profiled by GC/MS and GC/FID-based fatty-acid methyl ester analysis. An archived molecular-docking dataset was used to summarize structurally plausible interactions of six formulation-associated markers with eight melanoma-relevant or melanoma-adjacent targets and to present representative three-dimensional complexes. Because complete protocol metadata and co-crystallized-ligand redocking records were unavailable, the computational findings were interpreted descriptively. Neutral-red uptake assays assessed the 24 h viability of B16F10 melanoma cells and MRC-5 fibroblasts after exposure to each oil, the dual-oil formulation, or cisplatin. Four-parameter logistic models provided estimated IC50 values, and exact two-sided permutation tests were used for Spearman rank analyses. Results: The dual-oil formulation yielded estimated IC50 values of 1.42% v/v in B16F10 cells and 4.85% v/v in MRC-5 cells, corresponding to an apparent selectivity index of 3.41. The complete eight-concentration series was non-monotonic and showed no significant rank association (B16F10: ρs = −0.4286, exact p = 0.2992; MRC-5: ρs = −0.3810, exact p = 0.3599). In a post hoc analysis of the descending branch (≥0.37% v/v), the association was perfect in B16F10 cells (ρs = −1.0000, exact p = 0.0167) but did not reach significance in MRC-5 cells (ρs = −0.9000, exact p = 0.0833). The docking matrix identified target-dependent numerical prioritization patterns; however, small score differences were not interpreted as evidence of stronger binding or cellular target engagement. Conclusions: The findings define an exploratory chemical–computational–cellular framework and a preliminary formulation-level viability phenotype. They do not establish synergy, apoptosis, pathway modulation, therapeutic efficacy, or clinical safety. Independent multi-batch chemical confirmation, a fully documented and redocking-validated computational protocol, expanded melanoma and normal-skin cell panels, orthogonal functional assays, longer exposure periods, mechanistic validation, and subsequent in vivo studies are required.