Toxicological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Some Plants of Rutaceae Family

Abstract

Essential oils are produced as secondary metabolites by aromatic plants, predominantly belonging to families Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Rutaceae. The family Rutaceae has great economic importance for its numerous edible fruits and essential oils. In the present study, essential oils of seven plants of family Rutaceae, <i>Aegle marmelos</i>, <i>Murraya koenigii</i>, <i>Citrus reticulata</i> Blanco, <i>Zanthoxylum armatum</i>, <i>Skimmia laureola</i>, <i>Murraya paniculata</i>, and <i>Boenninghausenia albiflora</i>, were used for their toxicological assessment. Seven groups of selected essential oils-treated Wistar rats were established against control group (<i>n</i> = 5) that received water for 14 days; animals were offered feed and water ad libitum and treated with essential oils at 400 mg/kg body weight. Hematological studies revealed significant elevation in TEC in animals treated with essential oils of <i>M. koenigii</i>, <i>S. laureola</i>, and <i>B. albiflora</i>, while an elevation in PCV and depletion in MCV were observed in animals treated with <i>M. paniculata</i> and <i>B. albiflora</i>, respectively. Serological investigations demonstrated significant depletion in triglycerides and elevation in blood sodium level in animals treated with essential oils of <i>A. marmelos</i> and <i>C. reticulata</i> Blanco<i>. Boenninghausenia albiflora</i> affected many markers including RBC, MCV, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, urea, and sodium. In conclusion, all oils except <i>B. albiflora</i> can be considered safe for internal use.