Chemical composition, antibiofilm, cytotoxic, and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of Myrtus communis L. leaves essential oil

Abstract

Background The potential of essential oils (EOs) and of their principal constituents for eradication of biofilm and at the same time the research of new potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is gaining increasing interest in last years. The aims of this study were to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anti-acetylcholinesterase properties of Myrtus communis leaves essential oil and its main constituents. Methods Essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation of M. communis L. leaves and was analyzed by GC and GC–MS. The antimicrobial activity was carried out against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The microdilution method was used to estimate the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Then, the capacity of essential oil and its main constituent to inhibit biofilm growth, with the method of O’Toole and Kolterand, and the metabolic activity of biofilm cells through the MTT colorimetric method were evaluated at different times. Moreover, was studied the potential cytotoxic activity against SH-SY5Y cell line with MTT assay and the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity using Ellman’s assay. Results Myrtenyl-acetate, 1,8 cineole, α-pinene, and linalool were the main components in the EO. The myrtle EO, at the minimum tested dose (0.4 mg/ml), inhibited S. aureus biofilm by 42.1% and was capable of inhibiting the biofilm cell metabolism in all tested strains, except Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the EO showed good cytotoxic and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities IC50 of 209.1 and 32.8 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusions The results suggest that myrtle EO and its main constituents could be used as possible products that could act against the resistant pathogenic species E. coli, P. aeruginosa, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus, on the other hand, as possible coadjutants in the treatment of neurological diseases.

Mediterranean Plants with Antimicrobial Activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a Meta-Analysis for Green Veterinary Pharmacology Applications

“…Oxides, such as 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), are commonly found in Myrtus communis essential oil. Oxides can contribute to the expectorant and respiratory benefits of the essential oil and may have antimicrobial properties [ 112 , 128 ].…”

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial Properties, and Anti-Enzymatic Effects of Eucalyptus Essential Oils Sourced from Tunisia

“…Previous studies have explored the anti-AChE, anti-BChE, anti-α-amylase, and anti-αglucosidase potential of other Eucalyptus EOs [7,16,[39][40][41][42], but no previous studies on the species examined here are present in the available literature. The presence of 1,8-cineole in our samples likely contributed to EO activity against acetylcholinesterase; in fact, in a previous work, an IC 50 of 13.5 µg/mL was reported for 1,8 cineole [42]. Moreover, 1,8 cineole displayed more robust inhibition against α-amylase, reducing enzyme activity by 43% at 75 µg/mL in comparison with α-glucosidase (IC 50 1 mg/mL) [16].…”

Antimicrobial Effects and Antioxidant Activity of Myrtus communis L. Essential Oil in Beef Stored under Different Packaging Conditions

“…The chemical profile of the myrtle EO revealed 32 volatile compounds (representing 83.2% of the total content) and was classified according to the chemical composition described by several authors [ 15 , 29 ]: terpenes represent 13.0%, of which 11.4% is monoterpenes and 1.4% is sesquiterpenes; terpenoids are about 68.0%, 17.5% is alcohols, 36.1% is esters, 13.7% is ethers, and 1.2% is aldehydes; lastly, phenylpropanoids represent 2.2% of the EO. Reviewing the literature, it is noticeable that there are two main standpoints on what the main constituents of myrtle EO are: those whose studies conclude that 1,8-cineole and α-pinene are the main constituents [ 16 , 18 , 31 , 33 ] and those whose studies point to myrtenyl [ 17 , 18 , 34 ]. Undoubtedly, it is possible to say that both are correct; whereas 1,8-cineole and α-pinene are predominant in Greece, Italy, France, and Algeria, myrtenyl acetate is prevalent in Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, and Albania.…”

“…Myrtle EO can be classified into the cineoliferum type, rich in terpenes (α-pinene, limonene, and terpenoid oxides (1,8-cineole)), and the myrtenilacetatiferum type, rich in terpenic esters (terpenil acetate, linalyl-acetate, and bornyl-acetate) and terpenoid oxides (1,8-cineole) [ 16 ]. It is characterized by a pleasant aroma and taste, in which α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, myrtenyl acetate, and myrtenol are the main contributors [ 17 , 18 ]. Myrtle properties represent an added value at an industrial level, as they have been shown to have antimicrobial and antioxidant activities [ 17 ].…”