Carlina acaulis (Compositae) is traditionally used for food and medicinal purposes in central and southern Europe. Its root essential oil (EO), mainly composed by carlina oxide, is included in the BELFRIT botanical list of food supplements. It is also recognized as a potent mosquito larvicide. It is matter of concern whether this EO could be endowed with intrinsic toxicity to limit its use on a food level. Focusing on the insecticidal activity of this EO, we investigated the acute toxicity and sublethal effects on Musca domestica. In topical assays, the EO was extremely effective (LD50 = 2.74 and 5.96 μg fly-1, on males and females, respectively). The exposure to a sublethal dose (LD30) led to significant reductions of female longevity (LT50 = 6.7-9.0 days vs. control LT50 = 12.9-13.7 days). Treated females laid 2.5 times fewer eggs over control ones. F1 vitality decreased: F1 larvae and pupae showed high mortality, 2-4-fold higher over the control. The EO also showed high cytotoxicity on normal human fibroblasts (NHF-A12, IC50 = 9.4-14.2 μg mL-1 after 6-48 h). Overall, our findings support the employ of this EO for developing botanical insecticides. At the same time, they encourage food safety authorities to perform a full toxicological assessment for possible restrictions at food level.
- MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- Insecticides toxicity MeSH
- Plant Roots chemistry MeSH
- Pupa drug effects MeSH
- Larva drug effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Magnoliopsida chemistry MeSH
- Houseflies drug effects MeSH
- Oils, Volatile toxicity MeSH
- Plant Oils toxicity MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Since time immemorial, the oleo-gum-resins of Ferula assa-foetida and F. gummosa are used in the traditional medical systems as well as in foodstuffs, perfumery and cosmetics. In the present study, we explored the insecticidal efficacy of the essential oils obtained from these oleo-gum-resins to widen their fields of industrial applications. The two essential oils were mainly composed of sulfides [sec-butyl (Z)-propenyl disulfide, sec-butyl (E)-propenyl disulfide, sec-butyl (Z)-propenyl trisulfide and sec-butyl (E)-propenyl trisulfide)] and monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene and β-phellandrene), respectively, as determined by GC-MS analysis. The two essential oils were assayed for toxicity on a panel of insects, represented by species of public health relevance (Culex quinquefasciatus and Musca domestica), agricultural (Spodoptera littoralis) and stored-product pests (Prostephanus truncatus and Trogoderma granarium). The ecotoxicological effects of the essential oils were assessed on the aquatic microcrustacean Daphnia magna and the earthworm Eisenia fetida, as well as on human cells. Overall, the two essential oils were effective against important insect pests and vectors. On the other hand, they resulted cytotoxic to fibroblasts and non-target aquatic microcrustaceans. Thus, further insights are needed to determine the full spectrum of their eco-toxicological effects.
AIM: Natural or artificial substances have become an inseparable part of our lives. It is questionable whether adequate testing has been performed in order to ensure these substances do not pose a serious health risk. The principalAIM of our research was to clarify the potential risk of adding essential oils to food, beverages and cosmetic products. METHODS: The toxicity of substances frequently employed in cosmetics, aromatherapy and food industry (bergamot oil, Litsea cubeba oil, orange oil, citral) were investigated using cell line NIH3T3 (mouse fibroblasts) with/without UV irradiation. The MTT assay was used to estimate the cell viability. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are products of a number of natural cellular processes such as oxygen metabolism and inflammation were measured to determine the extent of cellular stress. DNA damage caused by strand breaks was examined by comet assay. RESULTS: MTT test determined EC50 values for all tested substances, varying from 0.0023% v/v for bergamot oil to 0.018% v/v for citral. ROS production measurement showed that UV radiation induces oxidative stress to the cell resulting in higher ROS production compared to the control and non-irradiated samples. Comet assay revealed that both groups (UV, without UV) exert irreversible DNA damage resulting in a cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that even low concentrations (lower than 0.0464% v/v) of orange oil can be considered as phototoxic (PIF value 8.2) and probably phototoxic for bergamot oil (PIF value 4.6). We also found significant changes in the cell viability, the ROS production and the DNA after the cells were exposed to the tested chemicals. Even though these substances are widely used as antioxidants it should be noted that they present a risk factor and their use in cosmetic and food products should be minimized.
- MeSH
- NIH 3T3 Cells drug effects radiation effects MeSH
- Fibroblasts drug effects radiation effects MeSH
- Dermatitis, Phototoxic MeSH
- Comet Assay MeSH
- Litsea toxicity MeSH
- Monoterpenes toxicity MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Plant Oils toxicity MeSH
- Oxidative Stress MeSH
- DNA Damage MeSH
- Reactive Oxygen Species MeSH
- Ultraviolet Rays * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The present study was performed to identify possible genotoxicity induced by organic extracts from particulate matter in the exhaust of two typical diesel engines run on diesel fuel and neat heated fuel-grade rapeseed oil: a Cummins ISBe4 engine tested using the World Harmonized Steady State Test Cycle (WHSC) and modified Engine Steady Cycle (ESC) and a Zetor 1505 engine tested using the Non-Road Steady State Cycle (NRSC). In addition, biodiesel B-100 (neat methylester of rapeseed oil) was tested in the Cummins engine run on the modified ESC. Diluted exhaust was sampled with high-volume samplers on Teflon coated filters. Filters were extracted with dichlormethane (DCM) and DNA adduct levels induced by extractable organic matter (EOM) in an acellular assay of calf thymus DNA coupled with (32)P-postlabeling in the presence and absence of rat liver microsomal S9 fraction were employed. Simultaneously, the chemical analysis of 12 priority PAHs in EOM, including 7 carcinogenic PAHs (c-PAHs) was performed. The results suggest that diesel emissions contain substantially more total PAHs than rapeseed oil emissions (for the ESC) or that these concentrations were comparable (for the WHSC and NRSC), while c-PAHs levels were comparable (for the ESC) or significantly higher (for the WHSC and NRSC) for rapeseed oil emissions. DNA adduct levels induced by diesel and rapeseed oil derived EOM were comparable, but consistently slightly higher for diesel than for rapeseed oil. Highly significant correlations were found between 12 priority PAHs concentrations and DNA adduct levels (0.980; p<0.001) and these correlations were even stronger for c-PAHs (0.990; p<0.001). Metabolic activation by the microsomal S9 fraction resulted in several fold higher genotoxicity, suggesting a major contribution of PAHs to genotoxicity. Directly acting compounds, other than c-PAHs, and not requiring S9 to exhibit DNA reactivity were also significant. Generally, DNA adduct levels were more dependent on the type of engine and the test cycle than on the fuel. Our findings suggest that the genotoxicity of particulate emissions from the combustion of rapeseed oil is significant and is comparable to that from the combustion of diesel fuel. A more detailed study is ongoing to verify and extent these preliminary findings.
- MeSH
- DNA Adducts analysis MeSH
- Gasoline toxicity MeSH
- Microsomes, Liver drug effects MeSH
- Liver drug effects MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Mutagens analysis MeSH
- Statistics, Nonparametric MeSH
- Plant Oils chemistry toxicity MeSH
- Particulate Matter chemistry toxicity MeSH
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons analysis MeSH
- Vehicle Emissions analysis toxicity MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
- MeSH
- Cholecystokinin blood secretion drug effects MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Ghrelin blood secretion drug effects MeSH
- Glucagon blood secretion drug effects MeSH
- Body Mass Index MeSH
- Clinical Trials as Topic MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Obesity * diagnosis complications prevention & control therapy MeSH
- Plant Oils administration & dosage therapeutic use toxicity MeSH
- Appetite Regulation physiology drug effects MeSH
- Seeds * metabolism growth & development adverse effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
The aim of this study, linked-up with a previous study on bergamot oils, was the evaluation of phototoxic potential of essential oils (orange, lemon and Litsea cubeba), used as cosmetic ingredients. The applied tiered testing strategy included chemical analysis of the substances (by means of capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry), in vitro 3T3 NRU phototoxicity test and EpiDerm™ skin phototoxicity test. In order to clarify the situation in man, the highest non-phototoxic/non-cytotoxic concentrations and concentrations 10 x lower (safety factor 10) were tested xin vivo by means of human skin photopatch test in a limited group of human volunteers. The study revealed, that phototoxicity of the essential oils was dependent on the content of photoactive components and the solvent used. The highest non-phototoxic concentrations obtained by the skin model assay proved to be a useful starting point for subsequent confirmatory human photopatch test aimed to identify safe concentration for human use. However, the highest non-phototoxic concentration obtained in the skin model assay cannot be applied directly for human practice (3 of 8 tested oils evoked a phototoxic reaction). A safety factor of 10 should be applied for extrapolation of experimental data from the skin model assay to man.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Dermatitis, Phototoxic etiology MeSH
- Cosmetics toxicity MeSH
- Skin Tests MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Litsea toxicity MeSH
- Oils, Volatile toxicity MeSH
- Plant Oils toxicity MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Anaesthetics are used in aquaculture to prevent stress and mechanical damage to fish during handling or the treatment of fish in breeding, blood sampling and other veterinary interventions. Clove oil and 2-phenoxyethanol are used in the Czech Republic in a water bath for the short-term immobilization of the fish. DESIGN: Acute toxicity tests were performed on aquarium fish Danio rerio, which is considered to be one of the model organisms most commonly used in toxicity testing. The semi-static method according to OECD No. 203 (Fish acute toxicity test) was used for testing juvenile fish. Embryo toxicity tests were performed in zebrafish embryos (D. rerio) in compliance with the OECD No. 212 methodology (Fish, short-term toxicity test on embryo and sac-fry stages). The results obtained (the number of dead individuals at particular test concentrations) were subjected to a probit analysis using the EKO-TOX 5.2 programme in order to determine LC50 clove oil and 2-phenoxyethanol values. The statistical significance of the difference between LC50 values in juvenile and embryonic stages of D. rerio was tested using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test implemented in the Unistat 5.1 programme. RESULTS: The LC50 clove oil mean value was 18.8 +/- 5.52 mg.L-1 in juvenile D. rerio, and 15.64 +/- 3.30 mg.L-1 in embryonic stages of D. rerio. The LC50 2-phenoxyethanol mean value was 338.22 +/- 15.22 mg.L-1 in juvenile D. rerio, whereas in embryonic stages of D. rerio it was 486.35 +/- 25.53 mg.L-1. CONCLUSIONS: The study proved statistically significantly higher (p<0.01) sensitivity in juvenile fish to 2-phenoxyethanol compared to the embryonic stages. Acute toxicity values of clove oil for juvenile and embryonic stages were comparable.
- MeSH
- Anesthetics toxicity MeSH
- Zebrafish physiology MeSH
- Ethylene Glycols toxicity MeSH
- Clove Oil toxicity MeSH
- Larva MeSH
- Lethal Dose 50 MeSH
- Plant Oils toxicity MeSH
- Syzygium toxicity MeSH
- Temperature MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Comparative Study MeSH
The aim of this study was to clarify the differences in the phototoxicity of bergamot oil obtained from four different suppliers. Spectral and chemical analyses were performed to identify presence of photoactive compounds in the test samples. The phototoxicity was assessed in vitro by the 3T3 NRU phototoxicity test (PT) and subsequently in a phototoxicity test on reconstructed human skin model (H3D PT). Confirmatory photopatch tests in a group of volunteers were performed using the first non-phototoxic concentration determined in the H3D PT. The spectral and chemical analyses revealed, that two samples of bergamot oil exhibited a potential for photoactivation. These oils were subsequently classified as phototoxic in the 3T3 NRU PT, however, only on the basis of borderline results and depending on the solvent used. H3D PT revealed clear classifications, correlating well with the findings of spectral and chemical analysis. The test was, however, not yet capable of precise prediction of safe, non-phototoxic concentrations. Additional endpoints, e.g. interleukin determination might be employed to increase the sensitivity of the test. Although the study showed the usefulness of the tiered testing strategy, currently, the extrapolation of in vitro results to human situation may be performed only to a limited extent.
- MeSH
- BALB 3T3 Cells MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Dermatitis, Phototoxic etiology MeSH
- Skin chemistry drug effects MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Patch Tests methods MeSH
- Neutral Red metabolism MeSH
- Plant Oils toxicity MeSH
- Solvents chemistry MeSH
- Toxicity Tests methods MeSH
- Ultraviolet Rays MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
xiv, 191 s. : il., tab., grafy ; 24 cm
- MeSH
- Brassica MeSH
- Poisons MeSH
- Foodborne Diseases etiology MeSH
- Plant Oils toxicity MeSH
- Geographicals
- Spain MeSH
- Conspectus
- Farmacie. Farmakologie
- NML Fields
- toxikologie
- NML Publication type
- publikace WHO
x, 92 s. : il. ; 24 cm
- MeSH
- Food Contamination MeSH
- Plant Oils toxicity MeSH
- Geographicals
- Spain MeSH
- Conspectus
- Fyziologie člověka a srovnávací fyziologie
- NML Fields
- toxikologie
- nutriční terapie, dietoterapie a výživa
- NML Publication type
- publikace WHO
