Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Cytotoxic Potential of Iraqi Olea europaea Leaves Extract

Background: Olea europaea leaves are rich in phytochemicals that have various biological and pharmacological activities. This study aimed to identify the phytochemical profile of Olea europaea olive leaves extract via Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and to analyze their potential effect against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Methods: Leaves were obtained from a farmland in Tikrit city of Iraq during October 2024, washed, dried, ground to a fine powder, and extracted with methanol by soaking. This extract was concentrated with rotary evaporator and analyzed by GC/MS. The cytotoxic activity of the extract against the MCF-7 cell lines was evaluated by MTT cytotoxicity assay. Cells were treated with different extract concentrations (100–3.125 µg/mL) for 72 hours. Results: GC-MS analysis leaves had shown the presence of ten major chemical constituents. A dose-dependent reduction in cytotoxic cell viability was detected, followed by typical apoptotic morphological changes. The IC₅₀ value (9.6µg/mL) was calculated from the dose–response curve, indicating measurable cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Olea europaea leaves possess bioactive constituents capable of exerting significant cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells. Further studies are required to isolate and characterize the active compounds and to explain their specific properties both in-vitro and in-vivo analysis.