Phytochemistry and acute toxicity from the roots of Lippia alba

Abstract

Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae), also known as Lippia geminata HBK or Lantana alba (Mill.), is a shrub about 3 m tall. In Brazilian traditional medicine, it is commonly known as Erva-Cidreira, Ch do Tabuleiro, and Salsa Limo. The present work was conducted in order to compare the phytochemistry of the roots and leaves and to determine the acute toxicity of the aqueous extracts from the roots of L. alba. The main components in the leaf extract were citral, β-citral, carvone, hemimelitene, germacrene D, and d-limonene. The main components in the root extract were durene, carvone, patchoulane and hemimellitene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a phytochemical analysis of the root extract from Lippia alba. The LD50 for the aqueous root extract was calculated to be 1156.25 mgkg-1. The animals presented stimulant and depressive behaviors, showing moderate toxicity, most likely due to the presence of iridoids and phenylpropanoids. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.