Evaluation of toxicological and antimicrobial activity of lavender and immortelle essential oils

AbstractLavender and immortelle essential oils (EOs) are widely used to treat a spectrum of human conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate cyto/genotoxic effects of lavender and immortelle EOs using plant cells (Allium cepa) and human lymphocytes, as well as their antimicrobial potential using nine strains of bacteria and fungi. Our results for lavender and immortelle EOs showed that the frequency of chromosome aberrations (CAs) was increased in comparison with controls. For both oils, increased frequency of apoptosis for all concentrations, as well as the frequency of necrosis (0.10/0.30 µl/ml for lavender/immortelle, respectively) was demonstrated. In human lymphocytes, differences for minute fragments between immortelle oil (0.10 µl/ml) and controls were observed. Increased frequency of apoptosis was detected for immortelle oil (0.20 µl/ml), while both oils (0.20; 0.30 µl/ml lavender, and immortelle at all concentrations) induced higher frequency of necrosis in comparison with controls. Lav...