Antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of the essential oil of Eugenia dysenterica DC.

Abstract

This paper describes the anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities of Eugenia dysenterica DC. (O.Berg. (Myrtaceae) essential oils from leaves (EOED). EOED were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and the products were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The main constituents of EOED were caryophyllene oxide (66.3%), isoledene (3.9%), 1,3,8-p-menthatriene (3.5%), mustakone (3.46%), β-phellandrene (1.7%), and selin-11-en-4-α-ol (1.7%). The antioxidant assay was performed based on the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide production. By performing the Ellman assay, it was observed that EOED was able to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an IC 50 = 0.92 g.ml -1 promising better value when compared with the drug rivastigmine (IC 50 = 1.87 g.ml , it was found out that EOED prevented lipid peroxidation inhibiting amount of TBARS formed in a similar manner to ascorbic acid. In addition, there was a reduction in the production of hydroxyl radical as well as the production of nitric oxide. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on compounds from this species that have activity for potentially preventing neurodegenerative disorders.

Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Eugenia Dysenterica DC Essential Oil

“…The chemical analysis allowed to identify 19 compounds and most of them are sesquiterpenes, divided in oxygenated 45.75% and hydrocarbons 17.2%. This result was similar to previous studies, where sesquiterpenes were the main class [6,7,12,13,[17][18][19]. However, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were predominant in most of the studies.…”

“…The yield obtained for the leaf essential oil from E. dysenterica collected in the São Paulo Cerrado (0.064%) was much lower than those previously found in other locations such as Piauí 1.48% [12], Minas Gerais, 0.34% [7], Brasília 0.25% [18] and Goiás 0.15% [6]. The chemical analysis allowed to identify 19 compounds and most of them are sesquiterpenes, divided in oxygenated 45.75% and hydrocarbons 17.2%.…”

“…The extract also showed antiviral activity against simian rotavirus SA11 [10] and molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate host of schistosomiasis [11]. Besides the activities in the gastrointestinal tract, a recent study suggested that the essential oils of E. dysenterica leaves possess therapeutic potential in the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease [12]. The whole oil was able to inhibit the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme, which has been used in this disease treatment.…”