Bioactive potential of Trifolium repens L. essential oil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic, genotoxic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of theL. essential oil (EO). The biological activity ofEO depended on the analyzed variable and the tested oil concentration. Higher concentrations of EO (20 and 30 µg mL) showed a moderate inhibitory effect on the germination and growth of seedlings of tested weed species (,,,,,,,and×). The results obtained also indicate that the EO ofhas some genotoxic, cytotoxic and proliferative potential in both plant and humansystems. Similar results were obtained for antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains [,,, methicillin-resistant(MRSA),, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL),andsubsp.serovar Enteritidis], with the effect on multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Research indicates that the EO ofshows phytotoxic, genotoxic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects, as well as its potential application as a herbicide and against various human diseases.