Antioxidative effect of citrus essential oil components on human low-density lipoprotein in vitro.

We studied the antioxidative action to evaluate the effect of citrus essential oil components on human LDL in vitro. Among the authentic volatile compounds tested, gamma-terpinene showed the strongest antioxidative effect, and inhibited both the Cu2+-induced and AAPH-induced oxidation of LDL. gamma-Terpinene added after 30 min (mid-lag phase) and 60 min (propagation phase) of incubation of LDL with Cu2+ inhibited LDL oxidation.