Toxicological and pharmacological evaluation of the essential oil and aqueous extract of Lavandula stoechas L. subsp. luisieri

Abstract

Lavenders belong to the family Labiatae and represent some of the most popular medicinal plants extensively used in aromatherapy. In this study, we selected Lavandula stoechas L. subsp. luisieri (Rozeira) Rozeira, endemic of Portugal, collected in Évora (Alentejo). The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity and the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil and aqueous extract from leaves of L. luisieri. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in Clevenger type apparatus and the resulting hydrolate was lyophilized. Chemical composition of essential oil was evaluated by GC/FID and extract was characterized by phytochemical tests and total phenolics and flavonoids quantification. Acute toxicity was evaluated in vitro in brine shrimp (LC50) and in vivo in Swiss mice, by pharmacological screening, determination of LD50, according to Up-and-Down OECD Procedure and liver and kidney histopathological study. Pharmacological properties, namely, analgesic and anti- inflammatory activities were evaluated in rats.