Cytotoxicity, anti-platelet aggregation assay and chemical components analysis of thirty-eight kinds of essential oils

Thirty-eight essential oils (EOs), including 4 products from Taiwan high-latitude trees, Chamaecyparis formosensis, Taiwania cryptomerioides, Cryptomeria japonica, and Chamaecyparis obtuse, as well as 34 commercial essential oils, were assayed on their cytotoxicity against 5 cancer cell lines and anti-platelet aggregation function. Two EOs from Juniperus virginiana and Santalum album showed significant cytotoxicity. Moreover, 2 EOs from Melissa officinalis and Piper nigrum exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on an anti-platelet aggregation assay. Some essential oils had been reported to contain cytotoxicity. However, the cytotoxicity of EOs from J. virginiana and S. album is revealed for the first time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for anti-platelet aggregation effect of EOs.