Essential oil from Myrica rubra leaves inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in several human intestinal lines

•Myrica rubra oil inhibits proliferation of human adenocarcinoma cell lines.•Myrica rubra oil induces apoptosis of adenocarcinoma cells.•The chemical content of Myrica rubra leaf essential oil was determined by GC×GC/TOFMS.•Two major compounds, β-caryophyllene and α-humulene were identified in Myrica rubra oil.