Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm) Swingle: Biological potential and safety profile of essential oils from leaves and fruit peels

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, irritant potential, and in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the essential oils (EO) from leaves and fruit peels of C. aurantiifolia cultivated in southern Brazil. Analyses of chemical composition revealed the presence of 9 compounds in EO fruits (EOF), yielding 93.50% R-(+)-limonene and 20 compounds in the leaf EO (EOL), yielding 45.70% R-(+)-limonene. In vitro antioxidant analyses showed the EOL had excellent antioxidant potential, and 10-fold superior to the EOF. In vitro cytotoxic capacity was evaluated for HT-29, MDA-MB 231, and HepG2 cells. Both EO showed better response in the HT-29 cell line. Finally, the irritant potential was evaluated using Hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test, in which no effect was observed after dilution of EO suggesting the effects are dose dependent. From the experimental results, the EOL, yielded better results, likely due to the greater chemical complexity of its biological matrix.