Chemical composition, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of essential oil obtained from aerial parts of Aeschynomene denticulata Rudd

Essential oils obtained from plants showed pharmacological potential thus the pharmaceutical industry demonstrates interest in exploring this field. In the present study chemical composition, antibacterial and cytotoxic potential of essential oil obtained from Aeschynomene denticulata Rudd (AD-EO) aerial parts were evaluated. The major composition of essential oil was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The main compounds were alpha-pinene (30.6%), beta-pinene (20.8%), germacrene D (13.1%) and sabinene (9.3%). Our results showed that Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 were the most sensitive to AD-EO. Furthermore, results provided by atomic force microscopy images showed that AD-EO treatment altered S. aureus morphology. Cytotoxic activity was observed in all cell lines evaluated, with human colorectal tumor line (HCT-116) as the most susceptible. Morphological changes specially cell death characteristics were also observed in HCT-116 cells. In relation to toxicity, AD-EO did not show haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. Our results demonstrate antibacterial and antiproliferative potential of AD-EO, its therapeutic potential and application of this plant, which no commercial value was previously mensuared by industry. This study presents the first biological activity of AD-EO.