Co-Authors:
Amiel, E., French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben Gurion 84990, Israel
Ofir, R., Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Dead Sea 86910, Israel, Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, D.N. Hevel Eilot 88840, Israel
Dudai, N., Unit of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, Ramat Ishai 30095, Israel
Soloway, E., Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
Rabinsky, T., Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, D.N. Hevel Eilot 88840, Israel
Rachmilevitch, S., French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben Gurion 84990, Israel
Abstract:
The biblical balm of Gilead (Commiphora gileadensis) was investigated in this study for anticancerous activity against tumor cell lines. The results obtained from ethanol-based extracts and from essential oils indicated that -caryophyllene (trans-(1R,9S)-8-methylene-4,11,11-trimethylbicyclo[7.2.0]undec- 4-ene) is a key component in essential oils extracted from the balm of Gilead. -Caryophyllene can be found in spice blends, citrus flavors, soaps, detergents, creams, and lotions, as well as in a variety of food and beverage products, and it is known for its anti-inflammatory, local anaesthetic, and antifungal properties. It is also a potent cytotoxic compound over a wide range of cell lines. In the current paper, we found that Commiphora gileadensis stem extracts and essential oil have an antiproliferative proapoptotic effect against tumor cells and not against normal cells. -caryophyllene caused a potent induction of apoptosis accompanied by DNA ladder and caspase-3 catalytic activity in tumor cell lines. In summary, we showed that C. gileadensis stems contain an apoptosis inducer that acts, in a selective manner, against tumor cell lines and not against normal cells. Copyright © 2012 Eitan Amiel et al.