Antitumour activity of essential oil of rosemary by potato disc method

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the antitumor activity of essential oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) by potato disc method. Regression analysis revealed highly significant (P<= 0.01) differences among various concentrations of rosemary oil regarding tumour count and percent tumour inhibition in potato discs. A linear increasing trend was observed for inhibition percentage with an increase in oil concentration while a linearly decreasing trend was depicted for tumour count with increasing concentrations of rosemary oil. The highest inhibition (42.85%) was observed for 35 ppm essential oil which was statistically at par with 30ppm concentration (42.5%). Lowest inhibition was recorded for 10 ppm (15.29%). The instant results suggest that potato disc antitumor assay could be used as a reliable, inexpensive and a rapid pre-screen for antitumor activity of rosemary oil or similar extracts from other plant species.