Abstract
The antioxidant, cytoprotective, and wound-healing potential of the essential oil from the resin of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia (mastic oil) was evaluated, along with that of its major components, myrcene and α-pinene. Antioxidant potential was monitored as: (i) direct antioxidant activity as assessed by 2,2-di-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and ABTS assays; (ii) DNA damage protection activity; and (iii) cytoprotective activity as assessed via induction of transcription of genes related to the antioxidant response in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). The cytoprotective potential of the test substances was further evaluated against ultraviolet radiation B (UVB)- or H2O2-induced oxidative damage, whereas their regenerative capability was accessed by monitoring the wound closure rate in HaCaT. Μastic oil and major components did not show significant direct antioxidant activity, however they increased the mRNA levels of antioxidant response genes, suggesting indirect antioxidant activity. Treatment of HaCaT with the test substances before and after UVB irradiation resulted in increased cell viability in the cases of pre-treatment with mastic oil or post-treatment with myrcene. Increased cytoprotection was also observed in the case of cell treatment with mastic oil or its major components prior to H2O2 exposure. Finally, mastic oil and myrcene demonstrated a favorable dose-dependent effect for cell migration and wound closure. Collectively, mastic essential oil may exert its promising cytoprotective properties through indirect antioxidant mechanisms.
Highlights
The antioxidant, cytoprotective, and wound-healing potential of the essential oil from the resin of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia was evaluated, along with that of its major components, myrcene and α-pinene
While several species of Pistacia are common in the Mediterranean area, Pistacia lentiscus L. var chia is unique regarding its ability to produce Chios mastic gum (CMG), an aromatic resin used for nearly 2500 years for its health-promoting properties [8]
No radical scavenging activity was able to be detected for mastic oil due to turbidity problems that interfered with the assays when the concentrations were increased
Summary
The antioxidant, cytoprotective, and wound-healing potential of the essential oil from the resin of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia (mastic oil) was evaluated, along with that of its major components, myrcene and α-pinene. The antioxidant, cytoprotective, and wound-healing potential of the essential oil from the resin of Pistacia lentiscus var. Essential oils of various plants appear to have a variety of applications, such as analgesic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer applications. They are used by many industries and find applications in agriculture, where they are mainly applied to organic crops as insecticides; in cosmetics to create beauty products; in the sanitary products industry for food preservation and household cleaners; in the food industry to increase the flavor and taste of food; and even in embalmment. Essential oils are naturally occurring mixtures of volatile, hydrophobic, colorless secondary metabolites They are synthesized by aromatic plants and they possess characteristic strong aromas.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
