Relationship between chemical composition, antioxidant activity and toxicity of essential oils from two species of Cymbopogon acclimated in Benin

Abstract

Aromatic plants play a considerable role in several sectors, especially in traditional medicine. In order to promote these plants, this work aims at evaluating the relationship between chemical composition, antioxidant activity and the toxicity of the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon schoenantus acclimated in Benin. Essential oils (EO) were obtained and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. The antioxidant test was carried out by the DPPH method and the toxicity test against shrimp larvae of Artemia salina Leach. Chemical analysis revealed several compounds including 75% of citral in Cymbopogon citratus EO and 60.3% of piperitone in Cymbopogon schoenantus one. The antioxidant activity varies according to the species with the oil of Cymbopogon schoenantus (EC50 = 5040 μg/mL) more antioxidant than that of Cymbopogon citratus (EC50 = 47860 μg/mL). This activity of the Cymbopogon schoenantus oil could be explained by the presence of constituents such as piperitone and limonene, known to possess antioxidant properties. All the studied oils are less antioxidant than the reference compound (ascorbic acid, EC50 = 20 μg/mL), and less toxic (LC50 ˃30 μg/mL) than camptothecin (LC50 = 13.27 μg/mL). These essential oils, less toxic and already used in traditional medicine, could also contribute to the management of diseases caused by free radicals. © 2019 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.