Next Article in Journal
Electrochemical Sensors for Chloramphenicol: Advances in Food Safety and Environmental Monitoring
Previous Article in Journal
Use of TLC and Computational Methods to Determine Lipophilicity Parameters of Selected Neuroleptics: Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Previous Article in Special Issue
Potential Natural Blend Hydrosol TGLON Suppresses the Proliferation of Five Cancer Cell Lines and Also Ameliorates Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Mouse Model
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Histology of Pompia Peel and Bioactivity of Its Essential Oil: A New Citrus-Based Approach to Skin Regeneration

1
Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
2
Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
3
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de S. Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
4
Department of Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability (CERES), University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
5
Via Piccioni 38, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
6
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
7
Laboratory of Economic and Pharmaceutical Botany, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, V.le S. Ignazio da Laconi 13, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091256
Submission received: 24 July 2025 / Revised: 20 August 2025 / Accepted: 21 August 2025 / Published: 24 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Chemical-Biological Knowledge of Essential Oils)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Pompia is an ancient, endemic citrus ecotype native to Sardinia (Italy), characterized by distinctive morphology and high content of bioactive compounds. Despite increasing interest, several aspects of this fruit, including its histological characteristics, remain poorly understood. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the anatomical features and spatial distribution of secretory cavities involved in essential oil (EO) production and accumulation, while also evaluating the EO’s chemical profile and associated biological activity. Methods: Pompia peel (flavedo and albedo) was subjected to histological analysis through fixation, dehydration, resin inclusion and sectioning. Sections were stained with 0.05% toluidine blue and observed under a light microscope to measure different parameters of secretory cavities. Essential oil (EO) was obtained from Pompia peel by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. The biological activity of Pompia EO was assessed in vitro using NIH/3T3 fibroblasts, where wound-healing was evaluated by scratch assay and anti-senescence effects by β-galactosidase and γH2AX activity. Results: Microscopic analysis of the peel revealed pronounced variability in depth and size of the secretory cavities, along with the presence of lenticel-like structures in the epidermis. GC–MS analysis showed that Pompia EO is dominated by limonene (89%), with minor compounds including myrcene, geranial and neral. In vitro biological assays demonstrated that the EO promotes cell migration in a wound-healing model at concentrations ≥ 12.5 µg/mL and reduces markers of cellular senescence, including β-galactosidase activity and γH2AX foci, in etoposide-induced senescent fibroblasts. Conclusions: Overall, this study provides the first histological characterization of Pompia peel and confirms the bioactive potential of its EO. These findings support future applications in skin regeneration and anti-aging strategies and contribute to the valorization of this underexplored Citrus ecotype.
Keywords: Citrus genus; Pompia; microscopy; histological characterization; GC-MS; essential oil; wound healing; senescence; skin regeneration Citrus genus; Pompia; microscopy; histological characterization; GC-MS; essential oil; wound healing; senescence; skin regeneration
Graphical Abstract

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cocco, E.; Giorgi, G.; Marsigliesi, V.; Mura, F.; Alves-Silva, J.M.; Zuzarte, M.; Salgueiro, L.; Ghiani, V.; Sanjust, E.; Falconieri, D.; et al. Histology of Pompia Peel and Bioactivity of Its Essential Oil: A New Citrus-Based Approach to Skin Regeneration. Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18, 1256. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091256

AMA Style

Cocco E, Giorgi G, Marsigliesi V, Mura F, Alves-Silva JM, Zuzarte M, Salgueiro L, Ghiani V, Sanjust E, Falconieri D, et al. Histology of Pompia Peel and Bioactivity of Its Essential Oil: A New Citrus-Based Approach to Skin Regeneration. Pharmaceuticals. 2025; 18(9):1256. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091256

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cocco, Emma, Giulia Giorgi, Valeria Marsigliesi, Francesco Mura, Jorge M. Alves-Silva, Mónica Zuzarte, Lígia Salgueiro, Valentina Ghiani, Enrico Sanjust, Danilo Falconieri, and et al. 2025. "Histology of Pompia Peel and Bioactivity of Its Essential Oil: A New Citrus-Based Approach to Skin Regeneration" Pharmaceuticals 18, no. 9: 1256. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091256

APA Style

Cocco, E., Giorgi, G., Marsigliesi, V., Mura, F., Alves-Silva, J. M., Zuzarte, M., Salgueiro, L., Ghiani, V., Sanjust, E., Falconieri, D., Maccioni, D., Valletta, A., Brasili, E., & Maxia, A. (2025). Histology of Pompia Peel and Bioactivity of Its Essential Oil: A New Citrus-Based Approach to Skin Regeneration. Pharmaceuticals, 18(9), 1256. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091256

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop