Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity and Toxicological Properties of Eucalyptus cinerea F. Muell. ex Benth Essential Oils in Rats

Abstract

Eucalyptus cinerea F. Muell. ex Benth (Myrtaceae) is used in traditional Tunisian medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and other diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of essential oils of Eucalyptus cinerea (ECEO) and their antioxidant and toxicological capacities. The EO was extracted by steam distillation, its chemical composition of EO was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH• test. The accute toxicity of ECEO was carried out on healthy female Wistar rats with increasing doses (0, 50..., and 1000 mg Kg-1 b.w). The results showed that essential oils contain a complex mixture of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes and the 1,8-cineole (41.87%) represents the main compound. The different chemical compounds of ECEO are endowed with good antioxidant ability. More importantly, we have demonstrated, in vivo, that the LD50 is greater than 1000 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) for ECEO. In conclusion, we suggest that the proportion of terpenoids present in the E. cinerea essential oils could be among the active principles responsible for the antioxidant activity demonstrated in vitro by ECEO as well as non-toxic action against tested animals.