ABSTRACT
AIMS: The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lippia origanoides essential oil as a preservative in industrial products. METHODS AND RESULTS: The composition, antimicrobial activity, mutagenic and toxic potential of L. origanoides were determined. Then, the effect of essential oil as a preservative in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products was evaluated. The essential oil of L. origanoides consisted mainly of oxygenated monoterpenes (38·13%); 26·28% corresponded to the compound carvacrol. At concentrations ranging from 0·312 to 1·25 µl ml-1 and in association with polysorbate 80, the essential oil of L. origanoides inhibited the growth of all the tested micro-organisms. The medium lethal dose in mice was 3·5 g kg-1 , which categorizes it as nontoxic according to the European Union criteria, and negative results in the Ames test indicated that this oil was not mutagenic. In combination with polysorbate 80, the essential oil exerted preservative action on orange juice, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, especially in the case of aqueous-based products. CONCLUSIONS: Lippia origanoides essential oil is an effective and safe preservative for orange juice, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study allowed for the complete understanding of the antimicrobial action and toxicological potential of L. origanoides essential oil. These results facilitate the development of a preservative system based on L. origanoides essential oil.
Subject(s)
Cosmetics , Food Preservatives/pharmacology , Lippia/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Preservatives, Pharmaceutical/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Cymenes , Food Preservatives/chemistry , Food Preservatives/toxicity , Mice , Monoterpenes/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/chemistry , Oils, Volatile/toxicity , Pharmaceutic Aids/chemistry , Pharmaceutic Aids/pharmacology , Pharmaceutic Aids/toxicity , Plant Oils/chemistry , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Plant Oils/toxicity , Preservatives, Pharmaceutical/chemistry , Preservatives, Pharmaceutical/toxicityABSTRACT
Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated a marked inhibitory activity of Auranofin (Au) and Gold Sodium Aurothiomalate (GST) on monocyte-macrophage function and an important role for macrophages in the pathogenesis of casein-induced experimental amyloidosis. In the present study we have looked at the in vivo effect of Au and GST on the inhibition of casein-induced macrophage activation and serum SAA levels. Au and GST markedly inhibited casein-induced macrophage activation while only Au reduced serum SAA levels to a significant degree. The present data raises the possibility that Au may be helpful in the treatment of secondary amyloid disease.
