Toxicological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Some Plants of Rutaceae Family

Abstract

Essential oils are produced as secondary metabolites by aromatic plants, predominantly belonging to families Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Rutaceae. The family Rutaceae has great economic importance for its numerous edible fruits and essential oils. In the present study, essential oils of seven plants of family Rutaceae, Aegle marmelos, Murraya koenigii, Citrus reticulata Blanco, Zanthoxylum armatum, Skimmia laureola, Murraya paniculata, and Boenninghausenia albiflora, were used for their toxicological assessment. Seven groups of selected essential oils-treated Wistar rats were established against control group (n = 5) that received water for 14 days; animals were offered feed and water ad libitum and treated with essential oils at 400 mg/kg body weight. Hematological studies revealed significant elevation in TEC in animals treated with essential oils of M. koenigii, S. laureola, and B. albiflora, while an elevation in PCV and depletion in MCV were observed in animals treated with M. paniculata and B. albiflora, respectively. Serological investigations demonstrated significant depletion in triglycerides and elevation in blood sodium level in animals treated with essential oils of A. marmelos and C. reticulata Blanco. Boenninghausenia albiflora affected many markers including RBC, MCV, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, urea, and sodium. In conclusion, all oils except B. albiflora can be considered safe for internal use.

Chemical profile and in vivo toxicity evaluation of unripe Citrus aurantifolia essential oil

“…This assertion is again supported by a study on carvacrol and rosemary essential oils where it was stated that natural essential oils manifest cytotoxic effects on living cells depending on their type and concentration [44], which means the higher the dosage of the oil given, the more severe the cytotoxic effects elicited. Similarly, higher doses of essential oils from other plants elsewhere, has been reported to have nephrotoxic effect [45]. Our observation does not aggree with report by Deshmukh et al (2017), who demonstrated that bitter orange ( Citrus aurantium L.) extract of standardized 50% p-synephrine, demonstrated non-adverse effects after treating rat with 1000 mg/kg body weight/day [46].…”

Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, and Anthelmintic Activities of Medicinal Plants of Nepal Selected Based on Ethnobotanical Evidence

“…Coumarin isolated from leaves of Boenninghausenia albiflora showed insecticidal activity at concentrations varying from 1% to 5% w/v [55]. Recently reported as having strong antibacterial properties with toxicity in Wistar rats [56].…”

“…Similarly, plants such as Aleuritopteris anceps, Boenninghausenia albiflora, Cynoglossum zeylanicum, Clerodendrum serratum, Rhododendron arboretum, and Terminalia chebula were found to show narrow-spectrum activity towards either Gram-negatives or Gram-positives. Plants such as Boenninghausenia albiflora [56,82], Clerodendrum serratum [83,84], Rhododendron arboreum [85,86], and Terminalia chebula [34,76,87] were already reported as having antimicrobial activity. To the best of our knowledge, Aleuritopteris anceps and Cynoglossum zeylanicum are shown for the first time as active against bacteria.…”

Bioactivities of essential oils from different parts of Spiranthera odoratissima (Rutaceae)

“…Considering the medicinal potential of S. odoratissima, besides the chemical and biological importance of EOs from plants that belong to the family Rutaceae (Liaqat et al 2018), and the interest in deepening studies of EOs from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers that have been carried out by our research group (Cabral et al 2019), this paper describes, for the first time, in vitro antitubercular, antileishmanial and antiproliferative activities of EOs extracted from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers.…”