Abstract:
Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacacrdiaceae), known locally as « ed’drew”, is a shrubby tree with a
fruit containing a fixed oil, used in traditional medicine, specially at Eastern part of North
Africa (Algeria, Tunisia), for its wound healing effect and as remedy against respiratory
allergy ailments.This study deals with evaluation of physico-chemical indexes, a comparative thin layer chromatography of Pistacia lentiscus oil, unsaponifiable fraction and lipophilic hexane extract of P. lentiscus fruits, as well as, a topical and oral toxicological study of oil in animal (mousse, rabbit). Values of physico-chemical P. lentiscus oil parameters are comparable to those published elsewhere [i.e. density index : 0,918 to 0,920, refraction index : 1,468 to 1,469 ; acid index:5,891 à 6,203 (mg KOH / g) ; saponification index(mg KOH / g) : 197,75 à 200,45].
Chromarography revealed phytosterols presence in all samples examined. Cutaneous and oral
toxicities evaluations of P. lentiscus oil in animal (mousse, rabbit) concluded to the absence
of short time toxicities at used concentrations.
