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Abstract
The essential oil of the leaves of Eugenia sulcata, in the Myrtaceae family, has a demonstrated antihypertensive effect, but its effects on heart muscle and its toxicity have not yet been elucidated. Little chemical or biological data are available for E. sulcata, whether emphasizing the beneficial effects or the pharmacological security of this species. This study aims to evaluate myocardial contractility and to analyze angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and myosin ATPase activities associated with use of this essential oil. In addition, we evaluated the immunotoxicity of E. sulcata essential oil. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated daily for 30 days (10 mg/kg of oil) to evaluate the isometric force of the papillary muscle, ACE measured by fluorimetry, and myosin ATPase activities by inorganic phosphate. Lymphocyte cultures were used to evaluate cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and mutagenicity of the essential oil. The results demonstrate that the treatment did not change the cardiac contraction force and did not alter the functioning of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, extrusion of the membrane calcium, or modify the membrane calcium channels or β-adrenergic receptor activity. Tetanic contractions were potentiated in the SHR animals. Myosin ATPase activity was also increased in the SHR animals. Cardiac ACE activity was reduced in both animal strains, and the serum ACE was reduced only in the SHR animals. The essential oil did not cause cytotoxicity or mutagenicity and presented low DNA damage. Our results demonstrated that the essential oil does not change myocardial contractility and does not present relevant immunotoxicity.
Highlights
Many medicinal plants are used by the human population for the treatment of pathologies affecting the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension
The results demonstrate that treatment with the essential oil of E. sulcata leaves did not impair the force of cardiac contraction
There was no difference in calcium inotropic effect with treatment, suggesting that the essential oil of E. sulcata did not interfere in the membrane calcium channels (Figure 1B)
Summary
Many medicinal plants are used by the human population for the treatment of pathologies affecting the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension. The safety, effectiveness, and mechanism of action have been scientifically confirmed for only a few of these plants (Vora, Mansoor, 2005). Previous studies carried out by our group have demonstrated the hypotensive and antihypertensive effect (Santos et al, 2013, 2014) and anticholinesterase activity (Lima et al, 2012) of E. sulcata essential oil. Lima et al (2012) analyzed the constituents in essential oil from the leaves of E. sulcata and found 22 components, mainly α and β pinene, β caryophyllene, and 1.8 cineol, and these compounds could be involved in these activities. It is known that clove oil contains β caryophyllene oxide and eugenol, and when analyzing the force of cardiac contraction, a significant decrease was observed in treated animals (Sensch et al, 2000). There are few chemical, biological, or toxicological scientific studies of E. sulcata, and there are no studies to evaluate the pharmacology and toxicology of this oil to ensure its safety and efficacy
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