Cytotoxicity assessment of organic extracts obtained from indoor air dust from selected primary public school buildings in Metro Manila, Philippines on A549 human adenocarcinoma epithelial cell lines.

Abstract

Establishments located in Metro Manila are repositories for various environmental contaminants harboring in indoor air dust making it the most significant source of exposure particularly for children. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity potential of organic compound-laden indoor extracts from a primary public school in Navotas City, Philippines using the MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrasodium bromide) assay. The indoor air dust samples were extracted with the use of methanol: ethyl acetate solvent to produce pure compounds that were then further identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. These organic acids were tested to A549 human adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line using the MTT assay. Results showed that organic components include various alkanoic acids, n-alkanes, a phthalate, and a lanostene triterpenoid coming from both biogenic and anthropogenic emissions. The organic compounds exhibited strong cytotoxic activity (IC50 well above the maximum IC50 = 7.1542 µg/ml) that is threshold (30 µg/ml) set by the American National Cancer Institute for determining compounds with cytotoxic capabilities.