Research Articles

2017  |  Vol: 2(1)  |  Issue: 1(Jan-Feb)

Acute toxicity and skin tolerance activity of the essential oils from Rosmarinus officinalis and Populus alba

Belkhodja Hamza^1*, Meddah Boumediene^1,2, Meddah Tir Touil Aicha ¹,  Gezici Sevgi³

¹Laboratory of Bioconversion, Microbiology Engineering and Health Safety, Faculty of SNV, University of Mascara, Algeria

²Laboratory of glucides- Team Thera.- FRE-CNRS 3517, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Picardie, Amiens, France

³Biology Department, Molecular Biology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey

*Corresponding author

Belkhodja Hamza

Laboratory of Bioconversion, Microbiology Engineering and Health Safety,

Faculty of SNV, University of Mascara, Algeria, Phone : 00213794608611.

Abstract

Objective: Our work aims to study the acute toxicity of the essential oils extracted from two species; Rosmarinus officinalis and Populus alba and the test of skin tolerance of both essential oils. Materials and methods: For this purpose, Wistar rats received different doses of the extract of the essential oil by intra-peritoneal injection. As part of the pre-clinical studies, the test of skin tolerance of both essential oils was conducted by the measuring of primary irritation index. Results: The results indicate the absence of severe clinical signs and dead rats during the period of observation. Thus, the essential oil of Populus alba and even Rosmarinus officinalis administered intraperitoneally has no acute toxicity in rats. In other hand, the essential oil of R. officinalis is non-irritating to the skin with an PI equal to 0.45 while the essential oil of P. alba is slightly irritating with PI equal to 0.66. Conclusion: The evaluation of extract’s toxicity and skin irritation potential was essential to ensure the safety of people in contact with substances in pharmaceutical applications.

Keywords: Essential oils, Rosmarinus officinalis, Populus alba, Acute toxicity, Irritation