10082- ET-9 ANTITUMOR AROMA THERAPY WITH FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL FOR GLIOBLASTOMA

Abstract INTRODUCTION Aromatic essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. We previously investigated the antitumor effects of aromatic essential oils administered by inhalation as a novel treatment for glioblastoma. The aromatic monoterpene α-pinene, a component of many essential oils, is known to inhibit tumor growth. This study analyzed the antitumor effects of frankincense essential oil, mainly composed of α-pinene, and explored its potential for antitumor aroma therapy in glioblastoma. METHODS AND RESULTS Human glioblastoma cells (U87, T98G) and mouse brain tumor cells (RSV-M) were used. Tumor cells cultured in the presence of frankincense essential oil for 72 hours showed growth inhibition, suggesting that the evaporated components acted on nearby tumor cells. α-Pinene and limonene, the main components of frankincense, also showed similar effects alone. Inhalation studies in mice demonstrated that 30 minutes of α-pinene inhalation had the same brain transfer effect as 90 minutes. Intraperitoneal administration of α-pinene showed minimal brain transfer. For limonene, brain transfer increased with 90 minutes of inhalation compared to 30 minutes. Inhalation resulted in higher brain transfer than intraperitoneal administration. Additionally, α-pinene’s antitumor effects suggested induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. DISCUSSION α-Pinene, comprising about 40% of frankincense essential oil, was found to inhibit tumor cell growth in malignant gliomas. This study suggests that α-pinene exerts antitumor effects when administered by inhalation. CONCLUSION α-Pinene in frankincense essential oil has antitumor effects and may be a novel “aroma” therapy for treating glioblastoma.