Abstract Eucalyptus species possess anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. In this study, the chemical composition and biological activities of Eucalyptus cinerea essential oil (EO) and the leaf and stem anatomy were investigated. EO was extracted by Clevenger apparatus and the compounds were identified by GC/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, and reducing phosphomolybdenum complex. Broth microdilution was used to determine antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxicity was verified against HeLa, HRT-18, and Calu-3 cells by MTT assay. The cytotoxic mechanism was studied by cell DNA content, cell cycle, and DNA fragmentation. The microscopic analyzes of the leaves and the stems were performed by light microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The main constituent of the EO was 1,8-cineole (55.24%). The EO showed low antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Calu-3 cells showed a significant reduction in viability with IC50 of 689.79 ± 29.34 μg/mL. EO at 1000 μg/mL decreased the DNA content in Jurkat cells. In general, EO increased cell percentage in sub-G0 and S phases with concomitant reduction of cell percentage in G0/G1 and G2/M phases and provided DNA fragmentation of 29.73%. Anatomical and micromorphological features of the leaves and stems can help in the species identification and its differentiation from other Eucalyptus species.

ABSTRACT Eucalyptus saligna Sm., Myrtaceae, commonly known as Sydney blue gum, is often confused with several other species in the genus. The leaf volatile oils of the species have been reported to have antimicrobial, insecticidal, nematicidal, repellent and cytotoxicity properties. The present work provides anatomy as well as volatile oil chemistry of the species collected from South Brazil. The anatomy and histochemistry of the leaves and stems were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy, and the leaf and stem volatile oils were analyzed by GC–MS. Amphistomatic leaves, anomocytic stomata, presence of papillae and epicuticular waxes, slightly biconvex midrib with a bicollateral vascular bundle in open arc and two dorsal traces, secretory cavities, calcium oxalate druses and prismatic crystals, rounded petiole with a bicollateral vascular bundle in open arc with invaginated ends and rounded stem with sclerenchyma abutting the internal and external phloem are observed in this species. The main components of the volatile oil were p-cymene (28.90%) and cryptone (17.92%). These characteristics can help in the identification and quality control of E. saligna.