Investigation of toxicological effects of various terpenes on human alveolar adenocarcinoma cell line

A549 cell line were exposed (0 – 48 h) to increased ?-pinene, eugenol, and d – limonene concentrations (5 mg/l – 300 mg/l), and analyses of cell viability, genotoxicity, pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress response were conducted for the characterization and comparison of different terpene induced toxicological effects. The results have shown that all three terpenes induced a concentration- and time dependent decrease in cell viability and an increase in proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers. For the applied concentrations genotoxicity could not be observed. The clinical health impairment is potential for recurrent and prolonged exposure.