Halina Tkaczenko, Tomasz Wróblewski, Dzmitryi Ushakou, Paweł Mochalski, Lyudmyla Buyun, Natalia Kurhaluk
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background/aims: Essential oils (EOs) derived from conifers of the Pinaceae family are complex bioactive mixtures known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, their impact on human redox homeostasis, particularly in blood, remains poorly understood. This study aimed to compare the redox-modulating and membrane-stabilising effects of essential oils from Scots pine (PEO), European spruce (SEO), and European silver fir (FEO) using an in vitro human blood model.
Methods: The chemical composition of each EO was characterised using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Human blood samples were incubated with different EO concentrations, and oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and erythrocyte membrane stability were evaluated.
Results: All EOs exhibited terpene-rich profiles dominated by α-pinene, β-pinene, borneol, and bornyl acetate, with distinct species-specific differences. The oils displayed concentration-dependent biphasic redox effects. At moderate concentrations, PEO and SEO enhanced total antioxidant capacity and increased catalase and ceruloplasmin activities by 15-25% (p < 0.05). In contrast, higher doses-particularly of FEO-induced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation by 40-60% (p < 0.05), indicating pro-oxidant behaviour. Erythrocyte haemolysis assays revealed that SEO exerted the strongest membrane-stabilising effect (haemolysis reduced by 18%), whereas FEO increased membrane fragility (haemolysis increased by 27%).
Conclusion: Pinaceae-derived essential oils exhibit dual antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity dependent on concentration and species. Among them, PEO showed the most balanced redox profile. These findings highlight both the therapeutic potential and the importance of controlled dosing when considering such oils for biomedical applications.
期刊介绍：
Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry is a multidisciplinary scientific forum dedicated to advancing the frontiers of basic cellular research. It addresses scientists from both the physiological and biochemical disciplines as well as related fields such as genetics, molecular biology, pathophysiology, pathobiochemistry and cellular toxicology & pharmacology. Original papers and reviews on the mechanisms of intracellular transmission, cellular metabolism, cell growth, differentiation and death, ion channels and carriers, and the maintenance, regulation and disturbances of cell volume are presented. Appearing monthly under peer review, Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry takes an active role in the concerted international effort to unravel the mechanisms of cellular function.
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