Essential oils from Distichoselinum tenuifolium: Chemical composition, cytotoxicity, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSeveral aromatic plants and their essential oils are known to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Distichoselinum tenuifolium (Lag.) Garcia Martin & Silvestre, an Iberian endemism, is traditionally used in the treatment of contact dermatitis and skin infections. However, the cellular mechanisms through which this plant exerts their beneficial effects are not known.Aim of the studyThe aims of this study were to examine the chemical composition of the essential oil isolated from Distichoselinum tenuifolium, and to test the efficacy of the essential oil as an antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential.Materials and methodsThe oils were investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the antifungal activity (minimal inhibitory concentrations: MIC and minimal lethal concentrations: MLC) were evaluated against yeasts, dermatophyte and Aspergillus strains. Assessment of cell viability was made by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of Distichoselinum tenuifolium oil was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production induced by LPS, in the absence or in the presence of the oil, in a mouse macrophage cell line.ResultsThe oils are predominantly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, being myrcene the main compound (47.7–84.6%). The oils revealed significant antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophyte strains and significantly inhibited NO production stimulated by LPS in macrophages, without affecting cell viability at concentrations ranging from 0.64 μL/mL to 1.25 μL/mL.ConclusionThese findings add significant information to the pharmacological activity of Distichoselinum tenuifolium essential oils, specifically to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, thus justifying and reinforcing the use of this plant on traditional medicine. Therefore, their beneficial effects and use in disease prevention, especially those related to fungal infections and inflammation, should be explored in more depth.

In this paper it was demonstrated that Distichoselinum tenuifolium essential oil is mainly composed by myrcene and has fungicidal activity, particularly against Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophyte strains. The oil significantly inhibits nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in macrophages, therefore demonstrating in vitro anti-inflammatory properties, at concentrations that do not affect mammalian cells viability (0.64 μL/mL and 1.25 μL/mL). Their beneficial effects and use in human disease prevention, especially those related to fungal infections and inflammation, should be investigated.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide