Essential Oils from <i>Mentha viridis</i> (L). L. and <i>Mentha pulegium</i> L.: Cytogenotoxic Effects on Human Cells

The essential oils from Mentha viridis (L). L. and Mentha pulegium L. were studied to assess their inhibitorypotential on phospholipase from snake venoms and to determine theircytogenotoxic action on human cells. These essential oils were able to inhibitthe breakdown of phospholipids induced by venoms of snakes of the Bothrops genus. Both oils presented hemolytic activity,although the Mentha viridis (L). L. oil induced hemolysis only at the highestconcentrations (14.6 and 29 μLu0026#183mL-1). The essential oil from M. viridis induced 3.9; 8.6 and 16.2 times greater damage tohuman leukocyte DNA than that observed with the positive control (100 μgu0026#183μL-1 doxorubicin) at concentrations of 0.25; 0.5 and 1.0μLu0026#183mL-1, respectively. A similar effect was observed forthe oil from M. pulegium (2.1, 2.5 and 15.8 times greater damage). The resultsextend the characterization of these essential oils and demonstrate theirpotential use in industries.