Cytotoxicity Potential of Essential Oils and Extracts of Oleo-Gum Resins from Boswellia papyrifera (Tarak tarak) Grown in Different Regions of the Sudan

Abstract

In this study, three samples of oleo-gum resins of Boswellia papyrifera (Tarak tarak) grown in different regions of the Sudan were used ( Kordofan , Damazine and Nagawa ). Solvent extracts, acid fractions and essential oils of the three samples were evaluated for their cytotoxicity potential via the brine shrimp lethality assay. Results revealed a dose–dependent response in mortality, and where the degree of lethality was directly proportional to the concentration of the extracts. Among all tested materials, the best cytotoxic activity was exhibited by the methanolic extracts and acid fractions of the three samples, non acid fractions from Kordofan and Damazine olibanum as well as the petroleum extract of Damazine sample. All examined materials, excluding the volatile oils of Damazine and Nagawa samples, showed high cytotoxicity with LD 50 values less than 20 μg /ml; thus can be used to predict anti-carcinogenic activity.