02/18/2026
Excellent info!
A 2025 study published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery investigated the cytotoxic effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil on HNO210 human laryngeal carcinoma cells.
Using an MTT colorimetric assay, researchers treated cultured cancer cells with increasing concentrations of peppermint oil ranging from 10 to 500 µg/mL. After 24 hours, results demonstrated a clear dose-dependent reduction in cell viability. Concentrations above 200 µg/mL produced marked cytotoxic effects, with cell survival becoming nearly nonexistent at the highest doses. Microscopic evaluation revealed significant morphological changes, including cytoplasmic shrinkage, decreased cell density, loss of intercellular connections, membrane blebbing, and partial detachment from the culture surface—features consistent with cytotoxic stress and possible apoptotic activity.
The findings suggest that Mentha piperita essential oil significantly suppresses the growth and metabolic activity of HNO210 laryngeal cancer cells in vitro. Its concentration-dependent antiproliferative effects indicate potential anticancer properties, positioning peppermint oil as a promising candidate for further oncological research. While these results are preliminary and limited to laboratory cell culture models, they support continued investigation into plant-derived essential oils as complementary or novel therapeutic agents in cancer treatment development.
PMID: 41379470
