The study aimed to characterize the volatile constituents of Mentha spicata L., grown in Oman, and to investigate in vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of the volatile oil. The pale-yellow color essential oil (% yield 0.55% v/w) showed the presence of thirteen compounds representing 99.19% of the total constituents. d-Carvone (65.21%) and dl-limonene (27.28%) were identified as the major volatile chemical constituents. Mint oil exhibited promising antioxidant (IC50 =26.64 μg/mL) and cytotoxic activity (LC50 = 245μg/mL). CLC predicted d-carvone to be active against thyroid gland undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, brain carcinoma, and lymphoblastic leukemia while dl-limonene could be effective against skin melanoma breast adenocarcinoma in addition to the above carcinomas. Omani spearmint volatile oil exhibited promising cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. However, further detailed studies are warranted to develop mint oil as a natural antioxidant and to unlock its hidden cytotoxic potential.
Shahad Alsaraf, Zainab Hadi, Md Jawaid Akhtar, and Shah Alam Khan.