Molecules 2012, 17(3), 3082-3092; doi:10.3390/molecules17033082
Article

Anti-acetylcholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl

Miguel Arruda 1,2 , Hugo Viana 3 , Nuno Rainha 1 , Nuno R. Neng 4 , José Silvino Rosa 3 , José M. F. Nogueira 4  and Maria do Carmo Barreto 1,2,* email
1 Department of Technological Sciences and Development (DCTD), University of Azores, Rua Mãe de Deust, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal 2 Centro de Investigação de Recursos Naturais (CIRN), University of Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal 3 Department of Biology, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO-Azores), University of Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal 4 Faculty of Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department and Center of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande Ed. C8, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 30 November 2011; in revised form: 24 February 2012 / Accepted: 2 March 2012 / Published: 12 March 2012
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
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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 IC50 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 LC50 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.
Keywords: Hedychium gardnerianum; essential oils; anti-acetylcholinesterasic activity; antioxidant activity; Alzheimer’s disease

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Arruda, M.; Viana, H.; Rainha, N.; Neng, N.R.; Rosa, J.S.; Nogueira, J.M.F.; Barreto, M.C. Anti-acetylcholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl. Molecules 2012, 17, 3082-3092.

AMA Style

Arruda M, Viana H, Rainha N, Neng NR, Rosa JS, Nogueira JMF, Barreto MC. Anti-acetylcholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl. Molecules. 2012; 17(3):3082-3092.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Arruda, Miguel; Viana, Hugo; Rainha, Nuno; Neng, Nuno R.; Rosa, José Silvino; Nogueira, José M. F.; Barreto, Maria do Carmo. 2012. "Anti-acetylcholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils from Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker-Gawl." Molecules 17, no. 3: 3082-3092.

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