Objectives: In the present study, we investigated dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of Mentha piperita essential oil on A549 human lung carcinoma cells.

Methods: The A549 human lung carcinoma cell line was purchased frozen from ATCC under catalog number CCL-185. For cell culture, F-12K Medium was supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (ATCC 30-2020) and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic solution (Gibco 15240062). Five different dose groups of Mentha Piperita oil were prepared by diluting the stock to 10 to 200 μg/mL. The antiproliferative effect of Mentha piperita oil on A549 cells was assessed using the colorimetric MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide).

Results: Mentha Piperita oil inhibits the viability of A549 cells. The IC50 value of Mentha piperita essential oil was 21.3 µg/mL in A549 human lung carcinoma cells after 24 hours of exposure to 5 concentrations. Mentha piperita essential oil exerts a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on A549 cells. Following exposure to Mentha piperita essential oil, cells exhibited marked rounding and loss of epithelioid morphology. They appeared to detach from the substrate and transition into a suspension form. A substantial reduction in cell density was observed, accompanied by increased intercellular gaps resulting from cell death.

Conclusion: Mentha Piperita oil has good potential to inhibit the viability of A549 human lung carcinoma cells. It exerts a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on A549 human lung carcinoma cells. It affects cell morphology, and intercellular gaps increase due to cell death. Mentha Piperita oil may be a good candidate for the design of high-efficiency anticancer drugs.