Mutagenic and cytostatic activities of the Xylopia laevigata essential oil in human lymphocytes

Abstract

Hydro-distilled essential oil from leaves of Xylopia laevigata was characterized by GC-MS. Twenty-seven components were identified and the oil’s major constituents comprised germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, (E)-caryophyllene and germacrene B. The cytotoxicity of the essential oil of X. laevigata (EOXL), determined by MTT and mitotic index methods in cultured human lymphocytes was observed in all tested concentrations. Cultures treated with EOXL demonstrated significant increase in the frequencies of micronuclei in the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) and reduction of the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI) rates. Results demonstrated the cytostatic and mutagenic effects of EOXL, the latter for the first time.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Xylopia laevigata
• essential oil
• mutagenic activity
• chemical composition
• cytostasis

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by CAPES and FAPITEC/SE.