Chemical composition of essential oils and anticholinesterasic activity of Eugenia sulcata Spring ex Mart.

The chemical composition of the essential oils from leaves and stems of Eugenia sulcata Spring ex Mart., obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by GC-MS and quantified by CG-FID. In all, 37 components were identified and sesquiterpenes represented the largest fraction of both oils, in the leaves (58.2 %) and stems (85.3 %). The major constituent found in the essential oil from leaves and stems of E. sulcata was β-caryophyllene, corresponding to 24.6 % and 18.8 %, respectively. The substances α- cubebene (1.1 %), β-copaene (0.5 %), cis-muurola-3,5-diene (0.6 %), cis-muurola-4(14),5-diene (1.3 %), γ- himachalene (2.0 %), epizonarene (0.8 %), trans-calamenene (4.4 %) and trans-cadina-1,4-diene (3.4 %) were identified for the first time as chemical constituents of essential oil from leaves of E. sulcata. To our knowledge, this was the first phytochemical contribution to the essential oil from stems of E. sulcata. It was also performed the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory bioassay of the essential oil from leaves of E. sulcata, which was considered active and exhibited an IC50 value of 4.66 ± 0.48 μg.mL-1.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Anticholinesterasic activity of Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard triterpenes

Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard (Sapotaceae) is popularly known in Brazil as "guracica". The species from the genus Manilkara have been studied and several substances were found, including triterpenes. In the present study, we describe the anticholinesterasic activity of an extract of M. subsericea containg beta-amyrin acetate (76.3 %) and alpha-amyrin acetate (23.7 %) using a TLC bioassay.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Comparative study and anticholinesterasic evaluation of essential oils from leaves, stems and flowers of myrciaria floribunda (H.West ex Willd.) O. Berg

Myrciaria floribunda (H.West ex Willd.) O.Berg, Myrtaceae, popularly known as “camboim amarelo”, was collected in Restinga de Jurubatiba (RJ, Brazil). Leaves, stems and flowers were individually submitted to hydrodistillation, affording the respective essential oils. Monoterpenes were the main group of essential oils from leaves (53.9 %) and flowers (55.4 %). Sesquiterpenes were more representative in stems (72.2 %). 1,8-cineole was the major constituent in the essential oil from leaves (38.4 %) and flowers (22.8 %). The major constituent from stems was (2E,6E)-farnesyl acetate (19.9 %). To our knowledge, these are the first contributions for essential oils from stems and flowers of M. floribunda. It was also performed the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory bioassay of the essential oil from stems, flowers and leaves of M. floribunda. Flowers and leaves oils had an IC50 of 1583 and 681 μg/mL, respectively, being both low to mild values.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Chemical and biological study of essential oils from <i>Eugenia pruniformis</i> Cambess., an endemic species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Eugenia pruniformis Cambess. is an endemic species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Essential oils from leaves and fruits from this species were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GCMS/CG-FID. In all, 25 compounds were identified, with predominance of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in both plant parts. The major compounds were β-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, germacrene D, δ- cadinene and α-copaene. Antioxidant activity was performed for essential oil from leaves using ORAC method, showing value of 0.30 ± 0.06 mmol TE/g. Anticholinesterasic evaluation was also performed for this oil, indicating that it inhibited acetylcholinesterase, showing an IC50 of 1798 μg/mL. These results indicate that this essential oil may be considered as a potential source of substances for Alzheimer’s disease Treatment. To our knowledge, these are the first contributions to biological and phytochemical characterization of E. pruniformis, an almost unexplored species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire