Biotechnological potential of essential oils from different chemotypes of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. ex Britton & P. Wilson

Abstract

This study reports the biotechnological importance of seven Lippia alba specimens collected in different places in Brazil, and evaluation of some activities as larvicidal against Aedes spp., antifungal against dermatophytes; cytotoxicity against SNB-19 (astrocytoma), HCT-116 (human colon) and PC-3 (human prostate) cancer cell lines, and inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The essential oils, whose extraction yield was about 1.24 w/w ± 0.9%, showed differences in their chemical composition and considered as chemotypes. The essential oils containing neral and geranial as main constituents showed better action against HCT-116 cell lines (IC50 value was 9.22 μg/mL), larvicidal activity against arbovirus vectors (LC50 value against A. aegypti was 1.59 μg/mL) and inhibition of AChE (halo inhibition zone was 1 cm). The essential oils containing mainly monoterpenoids showed better antifungal action with MIC values range from 0.15 to 1.25 mg/mL. This chemical and biological characterization may be useful for biotechnological applications.