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Antioxidant, Anti-5-lipoxygenase and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activities of Essential Oils and Decoction Waters of Some Aromatic Plants

Sílvia M. Albano, A. Sofia Lima, M. Graça Miguel Luis G. Pedro, José G. Barroso and A. Cristina Figueiredo

Universidade do Algarve, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Edifício 8, Instituto de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia, Centro Biotecnologia Vegetal, Campus de Gambelas 8005-139 Faro, Portugal

Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências Lisboa, DBV, Instituto de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia, Centro Biotecnologia Vegetal, C2, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract: The scavenging of free radicals and superoxide anion, the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and the antiacetylcholinesterase activities of essential oils and decoction waters of eight aromatic plants (Dittrichia viscosa , Foeniculum vulgare, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymbra capitata , Thymus camphoratus, Thymus carnosus and Thymus mastichina) were studied. The essential oils were dominated by 1,8-cineole in S. officinalis (59%), T. mastichina (49%) and T. camphoratus (21%); borneol (20%) in T. carnosus; carvacrol in Thymbra capitata (68%); γ -terpinene (49%) in O. vulgare; α -pinene (26%) in F. vulgare; and trans-nerolidol (8%) +  β -oplopenone (7%) in D. viscosa. O. vulgare decoction waters had the highest amount of phenols (4 5 ± 3 mg GAE/mL) while F. vulgare only had 5 ± 0 mg GAE/mL. The decoction waters showed higher radical scavenging activity than the essential oils. O. vulgare decoction water showed the best antioxidant activity (IC 50= 3 ± 0  m g/mL), while the most effective essential oils were those of Thymbra capitata (IC 50=61 ± 2  m g/mL) and O. vulgare (IC 50=15 6 ± 5  m g/mL). Thymbra capitata (IC 50= 6 ± 0  m g/mL) decoction water showed the best superoxide anion scavenging activity. F. vulgare decoction water and essential oil revealed the best 5-lipoxygenase inhibition capacity (IC 50=2 7 ± 1  m g/mL and IC 50=6 8 ± 2  m g/mL, respectively). T. mastichina (IC 50=4 6 ± 4  m g/mL), S. officinalis (IC 50=5 1 ± 4  m g/mL), Thymbra capitata (IC 50=5 2 ± 1  m g/mL) and T. camphoratus (IC 50=13 7 ± 2  m g/mL) essential oils showed the best antiacetylcholinesterase activity.

Keywords: Essential oils; decoction water; biological activities; Apiaceae; Asteraceae; Lamiaceae.