Toxic essential oils, part VI: Acute oral toxicity of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil in BALB/c mice.
Food Chem Toxicol
; 133: 110794, 2019 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31473339
ABSTRACT
Despite being renowned for its volatiles, the data on the toxicity of the essential oil of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae) is rather limited compared to its solvent/water-soluble extractibles. In this study, the aerial parts essential oil of M. officinalis, with over 130 constituents identified herein, 26 of which detected for the first time, was investigated for acute oral toxicity in BALB/c mice. The oil, composed of predominantly monoterpene aldehydes, citronellal (21.2-21.8%), neral (17.8-18.4%), and geranial (22.9-23.5%), which were assayed in parallel with the oil in some tests, induced significant changes in animal behavior, as well as altered biochemical parameters reflecting liver and kidney functions. Different pathological changes in the stomach, duodenum, liver, and kidneys were detected when the oil was administered in doses higher than 1â¯gâ¯kg-1. A depletion in the liver/kidney antioxidant capacities and an increased rate of lipid peroxidation was noted for animals treated with lemon balm oil. The calculated value of the oral LD50 in BALB/c mice (2.57â¯gâ¯kg-1) infers that the essential oil is only moderately toxic.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Óleos de Plantas
/
Óleos Voláteis
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Melissa
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Food Chem Toxicol
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article