Antonella Smeriglio
University of Messina, Italy
Title: Essential oil of Citrus lumia risso: Phytochemical profile, antioxidant properties and activity on the central nervous system
Biography
Biography: Antonella Smeriglio
Abstract
Background: The use of essential oils (EOs) is known since long time in traditional medicine and aromatherapy for the management
of various oxidative stress-related disorders and is further increased recently for their neuroprotective and anti-aging potential as well
as for reducing anxiety and stress.
Purpose: To evaluate, for the first time, the chemical composition of Citrus lumia Risso EO and its antioxidant, anti-cholinesterase
as well as neuroactive properties by cell-free and cell-based assays. Citrus lumia Risso is one of the oldest cultivated limettes in Sicily,
Mediterranean Europe and North Africa by which distinguished for the fruit shape and mainly for the sweet, no-acidic juice.
Methods: The distribution and morphology of oil glands in the fruit peel were analysed microscopically, by SEM. A phytochemical
profile elucidation, by GC-FID and GC-MS analysis, an in vitro evaluation of antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties
of the EO, using different in vitro methods (Folin-ciocalteu, DPPH, TEAC, FRAP, Fe2+-chelating capacity, ORAC and β-carotene
bleaching assays) as well as anti-cholinesterase activity were carried out. The impact on the spontaneous electrical activity of rat
neuronal networks by means of microelectrode array (MEA)-based system, was evaluated.
Results: The EO has shown strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, particularly in hydrogen atom transfer based
assays (β-carotene bleaching and ORAC assay, IC50 22 μg/mL and 46 μg/mL, respectively), that can be attributed to the high content
of monoterpene and monoterpene derivatives, especially d-limonene (48.905%), and linalool (18.245%). Furthermore, has shown
an interesting anti-acetylcholinesterase activity (IC50 258.25 μg/mL). Data from MTT analysis indicate that the cytotoxicity of OE,
evaluated on L929 mouse fibroblasts, is very low, with an IC50 higher than 500 ug/mL at 48 h. Rat neuronal networks subjected to EO
showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous electrical activity.
Conclusions: Results indicate that this EO could be an important source of natural antioxidants potentially useful in the detoxification
mechanisms of the organism, suggesting an important preventive role in the onset of oxidative stress-related pathologies.
asmeriglio@unime.it