Essential oil of Daucus carota subsp. halophilus: composition, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity.
BACKGROUND
Essential oils are known to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi. Daucus carota L. is used since olden times in traditional medicine, due to recognized therapeutic properties, namely the antimicrobial activity of their essential oils.


OBJECTIVE
In the present study the composition and the antifungal activity of the oils of Daucus carota L. subsp. halophilus (Brot.) A. Pujadas (Apiaceae), an endemic plant from Portugal, were evaluated. Moreover, their cytotoxicity in mouse skin dendritic cells at concentration showing significant antifungal activity was also evaluated.


METHODS
The oils were investigated by GC and GC-MS and the antifungal activity (MIC and MLC) were evaluated against yeasts, dermatophyte and Aspergillus strains. Assessment of cell viability was made by the MTT assay.


RESULTS
The results showed large variations in the compositions during ontogenesis, particularly in the amounts of elemicin that increased significantly in the ripe umbels (5.9% vs. 31.0%). The results also demonstrated that the oil with high amounts of elemicin, which have stronger antifungal activity, showed no cytotoxic effect, at concentrations ranging from 0.16 to 0.64 microl/ml, for as long as 24h.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to find appropriate doses of Daucus carota oil showing both antifungal activity and very low detrimental effect on mammalian cells.
Tavares
Ana Cristina
AC
Jardim Botânico/Departamento de Botânica, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Universidade de Coimbra, 3001-455 Coimbra, Portugal.
Gonçalves
Maria José
MJ
Cavaleiro
Carlos
C
Cruz
Maria Teresa
MT
Lopes
Maria Celeste
MC
Canhoto
Jorge
J
Salgueiro
Lígia Ribeiro
LR
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D018552:Daucus carota / Q000737:chemistry*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D011174:Portugal; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile