26. Ulusal Elektron Mikroskopi Kongresi (EMK26) , Eskişehir, Turkey, 20 - 23 September 2023, pp.315
Lung cancer treatment is traditionally a multifaceted process, involving surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the therapeutic potential of essential oils in the fight against lung cancer. These essential oils are recognized for their versatile properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor characteristics. These attributes suggest that essential oils may have the potential to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and, additionally, strengthen the immune system, potentially protecting the body against cancer recurrence.
As part of a research project, an initial content analysis of the essential oil obtained from the needle leaves of Pinus brutia Ten. (PNEO) through hydrodistillation was performed. Using the GC-FID/MS method, approximately 90% of the essential oil content, consisting of 13 compounds (≥1.0%), was identified, including α-Pinene, α-Terpineol, and Limonene. Subsequently, cytotoxicity assessments on cancerous (A549) and normal (CCD-19Lu) lung cells were conducted in vitro using the MTT method to determine the anticancer activity of PNEO, comparing it to Cisplatin. The results revealed IC50 values that demonstrated PNEO inhibited the growth of cancer cells five times more effectively than normal cells. Additionally, when compared to Cisplatin, a conventional chemotherapeutic drug, PNEO was observed to be twice as effective in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Microscopic examinations indicated differences in the morphology of cancer cells compared to the control group, visually confirming the consistency of the results. In conclusion, this research project has positioned PNEO as a promising candidate in the field of anticancer drugs. It not only exhibited significant cytotoxicity on lung cancer cells but also demonstrated the ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells while preserving the integrity of normal cells, offering a potential treatment approach that avoids harming healthy tissues, which is a significant challenge in cancer therapy. These findings emphasize the need for further research and clinical studies to fully uncover the therapeutic potential of essential oils in the treatment of lung cancer.