title: Evaluation of toxicity of essential oils palmarosa, citronella, lemongrass and vetiver in human lymphocytes.
abstract: The present investigation was undertaken to study the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the essential oils (palmarosa, citronella, lemongrass and vetiver) and monoterpenoids (citral and geraniol) in human lymphocytes. Trypan blue dye exclusion and MTT test was used to evaluate cytotoxicity. The genotoxicity studies were carried out by comet and DNA diffusion assays. Apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin/PI double staining. In addition, generation of reactive oxygen species was evaluated by DCFH-DA staining using flow cytometry. The results demonstrated that the four essential oils and citral induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity at higher concentrations. The essential oils were found to induce oxidative stress evidenced by the generation of reactive oxygen species. With the exception of geraniol, induction of apoptosis was confirmed at higher concentrations of the test substances. Based on the results, the four essential oils are considered safe for human consumption at low concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India.
authors.forename: Sonali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India.
authors.forename: Manivannan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jothiramajayam
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India.
authors.forename: Manosij
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, Cell Biology and Genetic Toxicology Laboratory, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India. Electronic address: anitamukherjee28@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
mesh_terms: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020552:Comet Assay; D031743:Cymbopogon / Q000737:chemistry*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000633:toxicity; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013729:Terpenes / Q000633:toxicity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D005452:Fluoresceins; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013729:Terpenes; C029569:diacetyldichlorofluorescein; C007836:geraniol; C007076:citral
keywords: Apoptosis; Cytotoxicity; Essential oils; Genotoxicity; Human lymphocytes; Reactive oxygen species