Chemical composition and acetylcholinesterase inhibition of volatile oils from Marlierea racemosa (Vell.) Kiaersk. (Myrtaceae) collected in two different areas of the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest

Recent studies demonstrate the ability of terpenoids, found in several volatile oils, in inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase activity [1]. Myrtaceae species are known as producers of volatile oils and they have been investigated for innumerous biological activities but not for their potential as acetylcholinesterase activity inhibitors.

Thus, the aim of the present work was to analyze the volatile oil composition in specimens of Marlierea racemosa (Vell.) Kiaersk. growing in two areas of the Atlantic Rain Forest (Cananéia and Caraguatatuba, SP, Brazil) and their antiacetylcholinesterase activity. Volatile oils were extracted from dried leaves by hydrodistillation for 4h. The component identification was performed by GC/MS. Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured through colorimetric analysis [2]. The major constituent in both groups was spathulenol (25% in Cananéia and 32% in Caraguatatuba). However, volatile oils of the Cananéia plants also presented monoterpenes (41.2%), while in the Carguatatuba plants these compounds were detected in traces. The oils from the plants collected in Cananéia were able to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase activity up to 75% whereas for the oils from the Caraguatatuba group the maximal inhibition achieved was 35%. These results suggested that the monoterpenes are more effective in the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity than sesquiterpenes as these compounds are present in higher amounts in the Marlierea racemosa (Vell.) Kiaersk. plants collected in Cananéia.

Acknowledgements: FAPESP, Capes.

References: 1. Miyazawa, M., Yamafuji, C. (2005)J. Agric. Food Chem. 53:1765–1768. 2. Rhee, I.K. et al. (2001)J. Chromat. 915:217–223.