Antioxidant, antimicrobial and toxicological properties of Schinus molle L. essential oils.
BACKGROUND
Schinus molle L. has been used in folk medicine as antibacterial, antiviral, topical antiseptic, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoural as well as antispasmodic and analgesic; however, there are few studies of pharmacological and toxicological properties of Schinus molle essential oils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Schinus molle leaf and fruit essential oils, correlated with their chemical composition and evaluate their acute toxicity.


METHODS
The chemical composition of Schinus molle leaf and fruit essential oils were evaluated by GC-FID and GC-MS. Antioxidant properties were determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated by the agar disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration assay. Toxicity in Artemia salina and acute toxicity with behavioural screening in mice were evaluated.


RESULTS
The dominant compounds found in leaf and fruit essential oils (EOs) were monoterpene hydrocarbons, namely α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, β-myrcene, limonene and α-pinene. EOs showed low scavenging antioxidant activity by the DPPH free radical method and a higher activity by the β-carotene/linoleic acid method. Antimicrobial activity of EOs was observed for Gram+, Gram- pathogenic bacteria and food spoilage fungi. EOs showed totoxicity for Artemia salina and lower toxicity in Swiss mice.


CONCLUSIONS
The result showed that EOs of leaves and fruits of Schinus molle demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, suggesting their potential use in food or pharmaceutical industries.
Departamento de Química, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal; ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal. Electronic address: mrm@uevora.pt.
Maria do Rosário
Mdo R
Martins
Departamento de Química, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal; ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
Silvia
S
Arantes
Departamento de Química, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal; ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
Fátima
F
Candeias
ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
Maria Teresa
MT
Tinoco
ICAAM-Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas, Universidade de Évora, Ap. 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
Júlio
J
Cruz-Morais
D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils
American pepper; Biological activities; Essential oils; Schinus molle; Toxicological studies