Avaliação dos efeitos toxicológicos após exposição aguda e subaguda ao óleo essencial de Lippia origanoides Kunth (Verbenaceae)

Abstract

Lippia origanoides Kunth it is a plant specie of the family Verbenaceae, popularly known as “Salva-de-Marajó” and “ Alecrim-do-Campo”. This specie is used in folk medicine to treat respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal disorders or as an antiseptic topical. Despite the pharmacological reports described for L. origanoides, there is no scientific evidence related to their safe use. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the possible toxicological effects of essential oil Lippia origanoides, through acute lethal assays on Artemia salina, acute toxicity determined in Swiss albino mice, and subacute toxicity using Wistar mices as a experimental model. In the latter, were assessed behavior and learning parameters through the tests: the Morris water maze, Y maze, light/dark box and swivel bar (rota-rod) tests. In the bioassay toxicity in the presence of A. salina, the essential oil of L. origanoides presented CL50 values determined in 52,4 μg mL-1, being considered highly toxic. In the evaluation of acute toxicity, the DL50, obtained by semi-logarithmic interpolation, was determined in 1.673,84 mg kg-1 , indicating low toxicity. Regarding neurobehavioural assessment in mice, the essential oil of L. origanoides showed no toxicity, determined after evaluation of behavioral and motor changes. Thus, from the results obtained in this study, we suggest that the essential oil of L. origanoides has low toxicity and does not cause neurobehavioral toxicological effects in the evaluated doses.