Determination of DNA damage induced after bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) essential oil administrated in vivo

Abstract

This research was carried out in order to investigate whether the purified bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) volatile oil purified from peels has a potentiality to induced DNA damage if administrated orally in vivo. White adult male rats (180- 250g) were divided into five groups each group with five individuals. The first three groups administrated three different concentration of the purified citrus essential oil 100, 200 and 300µl/ kg Body weight (Bwt). The fourth group administrated olive oil and served as positive control group. The fifth was administrated water as negative control group. Dosing for all groups were two times weekly for one month period. To detected DNA damage, alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) for the blood samples was carried out for all groups. Parameters of nuclear olive moment, comet tail length, and DNA on comet tail were calculated. Results showed that there were no significant differences between treated and control untreated groups as well as olive oil administrated group. These results indicate that citrus volatile oil has no genotoxic effect and it was safe and tolerable in the highest dose used for the specified period of time conducted.