RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Chemical Composition and Antiproliferative Activity of Essential Oil from the Leaves of a Medicinal Herb, Levisticum officinale, against UMSCC1 Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cells JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 185 OP 191 VO 31 IS 1 A1 SERKAN SERTEL A1 TOLGA EICHHORN A1 PETER K. PLINKERT A1 THOMAS EFFERTH YR 2011 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/31/1/185.abstract AB Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a challenging disease with a high mortality rate. Natural products represent a valuable source for the development of novel anticancer drugs. We investigated the cytotoxic potential of essential oil from the leaves of a medicinal plant, Levisticum officinale (lovage) on head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC). Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of lovage essential oil was investigated on the HNSCC cell line, UMSCC1. Additionally, we performed pharmacogenomics analyses. Results: Lovage essential oil extract had an IC50 value of 292.6 μg/ml. Genes involved in apoptosis, cancer, cellular growth and cell cycle regulation were the most prominently affected in microarray analyses. The three pathways to be most significantly regulated were extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) signaling, integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling, virus entry via endocytic pathways and p53 signaling. Conclusion: Levisticum officinale essential oil inhibits human HNSCC cell growth.