title: Anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activity of essential oils from Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl.
abstract: Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Hedychium gardnerianum leaf essential oils from S. Miguel Island were determined. All the oils inhibited acetylcholinesterase, with IC(50) values of approximately 1 mg/mL, showing no statistical differences between collection sites. Three oils presented mixed inhibition, whilst one was almost truly competitive. This activity can be attributed to the presence of sesquiterpenes, which constituted more than 60% of the composition of the oils. Regarding the antioxidant activity as measured by the DPPH method, all the oils presented activities similar to reference compounds, although with statistical differences between collection sites. Cytotoxicity measured using Artemia salina classified these oils as moderately toxic, with LC(50) values ranging from 300 to 500 µg/mL. These results indicate a possible application of these oils in aromatherapy as coadjuvants in the treatment of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer, since they may contribute to increase acetylcholine in cholinergic neurons and simultaneously fight deleterious oxidations responsible by neurological degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Technological Sciences and Development (DCTD), University of Azores, Rua Mãe de Deust, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arruda
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rainha
authors.forename: Nuno R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Neng
authors.forename: José Silvino
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: José M F
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: Maria do Carmo
authors.initials: Mdo C
authors.lastname: Barreto
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001156:Artemia / Q000187:drug effects; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030521:Zingiberaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D003603:Cytotoxins; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010851:Picrates; D010938:Plant Oils; D013729:Terpenes; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase