Evaluation of the toxicity of essential oil of Aloysia triphylla fron different origins

SABINI L.; CORTEZ M.J.; ESCOBAR F.; OLIVA M; ZIGADLO J.; DEMO M.

Tafi del Valle, Tucumán

Jornada; XXV Jornadas Científicas Organizadas Por La Asociación De Biología De Tucumán; 2008

Introduction: Aloysia triphylla (L´Her.) Briton, (cedrón) is an aromatic shrub native of Argentina, Chile and Perú. It is cultivated in América, Europe and Africa. Its essential oils (EO) are of commercial interest, antimicotic, antibacterial and acaricidal properties having been attributed to them. Studies of the toxicity of the EO on eukaryotic cells should be performed to assess their selectivity action against microorganisms. Aims: To evaluate the toxicity of A.triphylla EO of different origins on Vero cells (in vitro) and on Artemia salina (in vivo). Materials and methods: The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation of plants from La Paz (Cba), La Viña (Salta), Asunción del Paraguay (Paraguay) and INTA-Castelar (Bs. As.) and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The toxicity on A.salina (LD50) and the MCNC and the CC50 on Vero cells were calculated. Statistical linear regression analysis was performed. (Origin 6.0). Results: The main components identified were: neral (12.4-29.2), geranial (3.3-29.3), and limonene (8.2-21.3). The EO from Paraguay and from La Viña showed lower toxicity values than the other oils. Conclusion: The low toxicity of A.triphylla EO makes it a promising species for the formulation of new therapeutical, cosmetic and food industry alternatives.