Chemical Composition of Four Essential Oils of Eugenia from the Brazilian Amazon and Their Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Background: Eugenia species are appreciated for their edible fruits and are known as having anticonvulsant, antimicrobial and insecticidal actions. Methods: The plant material was collected in the southeastern Pará state of Brazil and submitted to hydrodistillation. GC-MS analyzed the oils, and their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities were evaluated by the DPPH and MTT assays. Results: The main components identified in the Eugenia oils were 5-hydroxy-cis-calemene, (2E,6E)-farnesol, (2E,6Z)-farnesol, caryophylla-4(12),8(13)-dien-5α-ol-5β-ol, E-γ-bisabolene, β-bisabolene, germacrene D, and ishwarane. The oil of E. egensis showed the most significant antioxidant activity (216.5 ± 11.6 mg TE/mL), followed by the oils of E. flavescens (122.6 ± 6.8 mg TE/mL) and E. patrisii (111.2 ± 12.4 mg TE/mL). Eugenia oils were cytotoxic to HCT-116 (colon cancer) cells by the MTT assay, where the most active was the oil of E. polystachya (10.3 µg/mL), followed by the oils of E. flavescens (13.9 µg/mL) and E. patrisii (16.4 µg/mL). The oils of E. flavescens and E. patrisii showed the highest toxicity for MRC5 (human fibroblast) cells, with values of 14.0 µg/mL and 18.1 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that Eugenia oils could be tested in future studies for the treatment of colon cancer and oxidative stress management.

Seasonal and Antioxidant Evaluation of Essential Oil from Eugenia uniflora L., Curzerene-Rich, Thermally Produced in Situ

“…The antioxidant activity of the oils of seasonal samples was evaluated by the DPPH radical-scavenging method [24,25]. DPPH is a stable dark violet free radical with maximum absorption at 517 nm (Shimadzu, UV 1800, Shimadzu Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), which is reduced in the presence of antioxidants.…”

Antibacterial Properties of Essential Oil in Some Indonesian Herbs

“…Essential oil of several species of Eugenia also demonstrated antibacterial activity. Beta-Caryophyllene, spathulenol, 5-hydroxy calamenene, Bisabolene, caryophyllene, Farnesol, Selinene, Germacrene, and elemene β-elemen are important compounds in Eugenia oil [72].…”

Essential oils rich in monoterpenes are unsuitable as additives to boar semen extender

“…The chemical composition of this plant was described (Limberger, Moreno, Farias, Sobral, & Henriques, 2001;Rotman et al, 2003), however, little is known about its biological activities. Based on data from other Myrtaceae species, EO of M. atropurpureum could have relevant biological properties, such antimicrobial and antioxidant activities (da Silva et al, 2017). Cymbopogon citratus (also known as lemongrass) leaves' infusion has been used in folk medicine of many tropical and subtropical regions to treat gastric disturbances and inflammatory conditions (Sagradas et al, 2015).…”