TOXIC EFFECT OF RED RIVER GUM (EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS) ON THE SERUM CREATININE AND ALBUMIN CONCENTRATIONS IN RATS

                                                              ABSTRACT

 The red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is essential in various medical fields due to the phytochemical compositions and biochemical relevance to organs and tissues. This study is aimed at identifying and monitoring the toxicity of the red river gum in rats with studies on the kidneys and liver functions. The plant traditional medical application indicated great antimicrobial properties, so the red river gum essential oils and plant extracts have been widely examined. Essential oil of the red river gum is active against many Gram positive (0.07–1.1%) and Gram negative bacteria (0.01–3.2%). The antibacterial effect is confirmed for bark and leaf extracts (concentration from 0.08 μg/mL to 200 mg/mL), with significant differences depending on extraction procedure. Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil and extracts are among the most active against bacteria when compared with those from other species of the red river gum. The most fungal model organisms are sensitive to 0.125–1.0% of Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil. The extracts are active against C. albicans (0.2–200 mg/mL leaf extracts and 0.5 mg/mL bark extracts), and against various skin diseases. Of particular importance is considerable the extracts’ antiviral activity against animal and human viruses (0.1–50 μg/mL). Although the antiprotozoal activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil and extracts is in the order of magnitude of concentration several hundred mg/mL, it is considerable when taking into account current therapy cost, toxicity, and protozoal growing resistance. Several studies show that essential oils’ and extracts’ antimicrobial activity can be further enhanced in combinations with antibiotics (beta-lactams, fluorochinolones, aminoglycosides, polymyxins), antivirals (acyclovir), and extracts of other plants (e.g. Annona senegalensis; Psidium guajava). These data proves that the river red gum phytochemical and antimicrobial properties, should be further examined with particular attention to the mechanisms of antimicrobial activity as well as the level of toxicity.