DRAGAN T. VELICKOVIC¹*, MIHAILO S. RISTIC², LJILJANA LJ. BJELAKOVIC³, IVANA T. KARABEGOVIC⁴, SAŠA S. STOJICEVIC⁴, MIODRAG L. LAZIC⁴, NOVICA V. RANDJELOVIC⁵
*Corresponding author
1. College of Agriculture and Food Technology 1 Cirila i Metodija St Prokuplje, 18400, Serbia
2. Institute for Medicinal Plant Research “Dr. Josif Pancic” 1 Tadeuša Košcuška St Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
3. University of Niš Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Department of Hygiene 10a Carnojevica St Niš, 18000, Serbia
4. Faculty of Technology 124 Bulevar oslobodjenja St Leskovac, 16000, Serbia
5. University of Niš Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Biology and Ecology 33 Višegradska St Niš, 18000, Serbia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate chemical composition of the essential oil of Dictamnus albus L. The analyses of the oil of Serbian origin were performed using GC-FID and GC-MS systems. Among 56 of registered constituents, 47 were identified. The content of identified monoterpenes was 3.1 percent (citronellol and geraniol as the major constituents), sesquiterpenes 40.3 percent (germacrene D 21.1 percent and bicyclogermacrene 8.1 percent), diterpenes 20.6 percent (phytol 10.2 percent), triterpenes (squalene 0.3 percent). In addition, the results showed presence of non-terpenic hydrocarbons (19.3 percent) and acids and esters (5.3 percent). Generally, besides germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene and phytol as dominant compounds, other main ones were (3E)-cemberene A (7.0 percent), n-pentacosane (7.0 percent) and ethyl hexadecanoate (4.7 percent). On that basis and other literature data, it could be discussed about different chemotypes of Dictamnus albus L.

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, essential oils as a very complex natural mixture of different compounds are used in food, agricultural, cosmetic and other industries. Because of the presence of the constituents with wide biological action, some essential oils have shown cytotoxicity, carcinogenicity or antimutagenic properties (1).
Several studies with various essential oils have demonstrated phototoxicity. Phototoxic plants belong to a small number of families. In accordance with this, phytophotodermatitis as a difficult diagnosis and non-immunologic reaction can be provoked in all skin types, because of the presence of furocoumarins (5-methoxypsoralen), bergapten and other environmental agents (2, 3). On the other hand, mechanism of action of those compounds has not been established yet, although there is an opinion about the formation of reactive oxygen species, consequent damage of DNA leading to cell death or mutagenesis (4). Reports on contact dermatitis are in relation to the usage of herbal remedies, plants and their products (extracts and essential oils), which can be toxic to the skin. Beside Daucus carota, Ammi majus and Ruta graveolens (5), Di ...