Chemical composition and pharmacological activities of essential oils of Lavandula spp.

Lavandula spp. belong to the family Lamiatae and some species are often used in popular medicine and have been used for centuries in a large number of medical applications and in aromatherapy. Although similar ethnobotanical properties of Lavandula spp., its essential oils, general chemical composition and therapeutic applications differ from different species. Lavandula stoechas L. subsps. luisieri (Rozeira) Rozeira and L. viridis L’Hér are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, widespread in the South of Portugal, namely in Southern Alentejo and Algarve. The aim of our study was evaluate the chemical composition and toxicological and pharmacological activities of leaves essential oils of spontaneous plants of L. stoechas L. subsps. luisieri (Alentejo) and L. viridis (Algarve). The essential oils of these wild plants, collected in spring, were obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and its chemical composition was evaluated by GC/FID. The acute toxicity of essential oils was evaluated "in vitro" using brine shrimp (LC50) and "in vivo" using Swiss mice (DL50). The analgesic and anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil were evaluated in mouse or rats by the Amour-Smith and carrageen-induced paw edema tests, respectively. Results showed important differences in chemical composition of essential oils from two species analyzed either to diversity and proportion of its constituents. The essentials oils showed citotoxicity against Artemia salina and a DL50 higher than 2000 mg/kg for mice. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils were exhibit for the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF LAVANDULA SPP.

Lavenders belong to the family Labiatae and represent some of the most popular medicinal plants of great economic importance. Their essential oils are important for the perfume, cosmetic, flavouring and pharmaceutical industries. However, despite its popularity, and the long tradition of use, biological properties of the various Lavandula species are not yet been well sustained by scientific or clinical studies and some available data being inconclusive and controversial [1]. Although Lavandula spp. have similar ethnobotanical properties, however, chemical composition and therapeutic uses differ from different species and main composition of essential oils showed differences with species and with the region were they grow [1,2,3]. L. stoechas L. subsps. luisieri (Rozeira) Rozeira. L. pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. and L. viridis L’Hér are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, widespread in the South of Portugal, namely in Alentejo and Algarve. In our work, essential oils from the stems or leaves from wild grown plants of L. luisieri (Alentejo), L. pedunculata (Alentejo) and L. viridis (Algarve), were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by solid diffusion disk assay and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and food spoilage fungi.

Caracterização química e actividade biológica dos óleos essenciais e extractos aquosos de algumas Lavandula spp. do Sul de Portugal

No presente trabalho estudaram-se três espécies do género Lavandula, do sul de Portugal: L. luisieri e L. pedunculata (Alentejo) e L.viridis (Algarve), com vista caraterizar a composição química dos óleos essenciais das diferentes espécies, parte vegetativa (folha) e espiga floral, e dos respetivos extratos de hidrodestilação, e avaliar as propriedades antioxidante, antimicrobiana, toxicológica, analgésica e antiinflamatória de alguns dos seus óleos essenciais e extratos aquosos, mais promissores. Os resultados mostraram importantes diferenças na composição química dos óleos essenciais, quanto à diversidade e à proporção dos seus constituintes. Os óleos essenciais e hidrolatos, em estudo, apresentaram importantes propriedades antioxidantes e antimicrobianas. Os estudos toxicológicos e farmacológicos mostraram que os óleos apresentaram citotoxicidade em Artemia salina, apresentaram valores de DL50 muito superiores a 2000 mg/kg em ratinhos Swiss, e que possuem importantes propriedades analgésicas e anti-inflamatória. Estes resultados sugerem o seu potencial uso para aplicações farmacológicas como agentes nutracêuticos e/ou fitoterapêuticos; ABSTRACT:The aim of present work was to develop a set of studies of three species of the genera Lavandula, at the South of Portugal: L. luisieri e L. pedunculata (Alentejo) e L.viridis (Algarve), in order to characterize the chemical composition of the essential oils (leaves and flowers) and to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, toxicological and pharmacological properties of selected essential oils and aqueous extracts. Results show important differences in chemical composition of essential oils, both in diversity as the proportion of their constituents. Essential oils and aqueous extracts of different Lavandula spp. showed important antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Pharmacological studies have shown that essential oils showed cytotoxicity against Artemia salina, low acute toxicity, with LD50 >> 2000 mg/kg for mice, and important analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. These results suggest their potential use for pharmacological applications as nutraceutical and/or phytotherapeutic agents.