In vitro genotoxic effects of 1,8-cineole compound

The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro genotoxic and cytotoxic effect of 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol) which is main compound of essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus plant in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In the study, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21 and 0.28 μg/ml concentrations of 1,8-cineole were tested for 24 or 48 hours treatment periods. Genotoxic effect of 1,8-Cineole was determined with sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus tests and cytotoxic effect of 1,8-cineole was determined with replication index (RI), mitotic index (MI) and nuclear division index (NDI). Also, total oxidant and antioxidant values were determined by spectrophotometric method. In our study, 1,8-cineole did not affect SCE in human peripheral blood lymphocytes both all concentrations and treatment periods. 1,8-Cineole slightly increased CA but this increase was not statistically significant. Alike, the test substance did not induce formation of micronuclei. For two treatment periods, 1,8-cineole reduced RI significantly at highest concentration (0.28 µL/mL) when compared with control and solvent control. The highest two concentrations (0.21 and 0.28 µL/mL) of test chemical reduced MI significantly for 48 hours treatment period when compared with control and solvent control. Looking at NDI, the two highest concentrations of 1,8-cineole (0.21 and 0.28 µL/mL) reduced NDI for 24 hours treatment period when compared with control and solvent control. For 48 hours treatment period, NDI decreased at all concentrations (except the lowest) when compared with solvent control. 1,8-Cineole did not affect total oxidant (except the highest concentration for 24 hours treatment period) or total antioxidant values. As a result, there were not any significant changes in oxidative stress index.