Schinus molleessential oil as a potential source of bioactive compounds: antifungal and antibacterial properties

Abstract

Aims:The study was focused on the evaluation of antimicrobial activity in vitro of the essential oil (EO) of leaves from Schinus molle against bacteria and fungi of clinical importance in the search for the discovery of new active compounds. Methods and Results: The chemical composition of the S. molle EO was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and its antimicrobial effect was verified by broth microdilution method. The major compounds found were b-pinene (25Á23%), epi-a-cadinol (21Á29%), a-pinene (18Á72%), myrcene (11Á54%) and sabinene (5Á02%). The EO showed significant antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (39Á06 lg ml À1 ), weak action against Cryptococcus neoformans (625 lg ml À1 ) and Trichophyton quinckeanum (625 lg ml À1 ) and was inactive against Candida sp. In the analysis of the antibacterial action, the micro-organisms tested did not show sensitivity. Conclusions: This study showed a promising result of S. molle volatiles against the fungus P. brasiliensis, which causes paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis of great clinical importance in Latin America. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results found here are novel and encourage investigations of the compounds present in this EO, which represents a source of molecules with potential use in the treatment of PCM. 1986; D ıaz et al.

Identification of the chemical composition of six essential oils with mass spectroscopy and evaluation of their antibacterial and antioxidant potential

“…Several studies regarding the antibacterial activity of these EOs have been performed on bacteria (Table 4). 19,25,29,57‐59 …”

“…However, the Senecio genus is a source of pyrrolizidine alkaloids; it is the most common poisonous component and can therefore cause hepatotoxicity and carcinogenesis 27 . Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae), often called pink pepper, was originated in South America, then introduced in Europe and Africa 28,29 . The fruits secrete esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, lactones, terpenoids and carotenoid derivatives 30 .…”

Antimicrobial Testing of Schinus molle (L.) Leaf Extracts and Fractions Followed by GC-MS Investigation of Biological Active Fractions

“…It is native to South America where it is known as the Peruvian pepper tree [12], whereas it is distributed worldwide as an ornamental plant. Many papers attribute some pharmacological proprieties to the pepper tree, such as antiproliferative [6,[13][14][15][16], antioxidant [9,14], antifungal [17,18], hypotensive [19], anti-inflammatory [20], and analgesic [21] effects, as well as antimalarial [22], acaricidal [23,24], repellent and insecticidal properties [25][26][27][28].…”

“…Antibacterial activity has been investigated in extracts and essential oils from leaves, flowers, berries, and bark derived from this plant [5][6][7][8][9]18,[28][29][30][31][32].…”

Promising Medicinal Plants with Diuretic Potential Used in Brazil: State of the Art, Challenges, and Prospects

“…Similarly, the dry peels and leaves of Schinus mole L., popularly known in Brazil as "aroeira" and native to southern Brazil, are used as a diuretic [96]. Among the biological properties already described, it has potential antifungal and antibacterial [110], analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects [111].…”