Cytotoxicity, oral toxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity evaluation of essential oil from Psidium glaziovianum Kiaersk leaves

Members of the Psidium genus have been suggested in ethnobotanical research for the treatment of various human diseases, and some studies have already proven their popular uses through research, such as Psidium glaziovianum, which is found in Brazil's northeast and southeast regions and has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties; however, the safety of use has not yet been evaluated. This study investigated the safety of using essential oil obtained from P. glaziovianum leaves (PgEO) in vitro and in vivo models. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in murine erythrocytes, while acute toxicity, genotoxicity (comet assay) and mutagenicity (micronucleus test) studies were performed using Swiss albino mice. In the cytotoxicity assay, the hemolysis rate indicated a low capacity of PgEO to cause cell lysis (0.33–1.78%). In the acute oral toxicity study, animals treated with up to up to 5000 mg/kg body weight did not observe mortality or physiological changes. Neither dosage caused behavioral problems or death in mice over 14 days. The control and 2,000 mg/kg groups had higher feed intake and body weight than the 5,000 mg/kg PgEO group. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin level, mean corpuscular volume, and MCV decreased, but serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases increased. In the genotoxic evaluation, 5000 mg/kg PgEO enhanced nucleated blood cell DI and DF. The present study describes that PgEO can be considered well tolerated in acute exposure at doses up to 2000 mg/kg, however the dose of 5000 mg/kg of PgEO should be used with caution. [Display omitted] •In Brazil, Psidium species are traditionally used for various diseases.•The safety of P. glaziovianum was investigated in vitro and in vivo in this study.•In the present experiment, PgEO is well tolerated at doses up to 2000 mg/kg.•Oral administration of 5000 mg/kg of PgEO promoted hematological, biochemical and genotoxic changes.•The PgEO dosage of 5000 mg/kg is not safe to use.