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 puri ed bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) volatile oil puri- ed from peels has a potentiality to induced DNA damage if administrated orally in vivo. White adult male rats (180- 250g) were divided into ve groups each group with ve individuals. The rst three groups administrated three different con- centration of the puri ed citrus essential oil 100, 200 and 300μl/ kg Body weight (Bwt). The fourth group administrated olive oil and served as positive control group. The fth 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 signi cant 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 speci ed period of time conducted.