Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of citronellol esters

摘要

Citronellol is one of main compounds of citronella oil that's one of Indonesian natural products. Citronellol esters were thought to have potency as chemoprevention agent for cancer. In this study, synthesis of citronellyl isobutyrate (CIB), citronellyl 2,2-dimethyl butyrate (CDB) and citronellyl caproate (CC) from citonellol have been carried out using sodium hydroxide as catalyst. The purpose of this study was to improve anticancer activity of the compound. Analysis of the ester compounds were carried out by TLC, FTIR, GC-MS and ~1H-NMR. Whilst analysis of in vitro cytotoxic activity were carried out by BSLT and alamar blue methods against Artemia salina Leach and breast cancer (MCF7) cells, respectively. The result showed that ester compounds active against Artemia salina L indicated by LC_(50) values of CIB, CDB and CC were 1.43, 1.96 and 1.21 μg/mL, respectively. Both of ester compounds were also active against breast cancer (MCF7) cells indicated by IC_(50) values of CIB and CDB were 2.82 and 4.75 μg/mL, while CC was less active against breast cancer (MCF7) cells with IC_(50) value of 36.1 μg/mL. The study revealed that acyclic ester compounds exhibit potential as new chemoprevention agents for breast cancer.