Author: Pauli, A.

Source: International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume 2, Number 2, July 2008 , pp. 60-68(9)

Publisher: Essential Oil Resource Consultants

Abstract:

The lipophilicity of 25 essential oils was determined through calculation of the lipophilicity (log P) of individual essential constituents and the percentage composition of the essential oils, respectively. The lipophilicity of the essential oils (log P_mix) increased in the order: cassia, cinnamon, mustard, parsley, eucalyptus, clove, peppermint, sage, rosemary, anise, lemongrass, fennel, citronella, caraway, thyme, lavender, pine needle, bergamot, dwarf-pine, turpentine, angelica, lemon, rose, sweet flag and chamomile. The log P_mix values correlated significantly (r² = 0.82) with the acute oral toxicity of 18 essential oils towards rats, whereby toxicity decreases with increasing lipophilicity. The opposite is known for several classes of organic compounds, where toxicity towards living organisms increases with increasing lipophilicity. Therefore, lipophilic essential oils such as chamomile and/or lipophilic sesquiterpenes like (-)-α-bisabolol, farnesol and nerolidol or diterpenes such as sclareol present interesting, pharmacologically active, nontoxic substances worthwhile for further investigation.

Keywords: ESSENTIAL OIL; LIPOPHILICITY; TOXICITY; SESQUITERPENES

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-07-01

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• The International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics is destined for individuals and establishments that have an interest in the bioactivity of aromatic plants, as well as the potential applications of such activities in human and animal treatment modalities. The Journal publishes a range of pertinent subject matter including in vitro and in vivo research, clinical trials, pilot studies, adverse reaction and drug interaction reports and scientifically based discussion relating to therapeutic applications.
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