烟台柴胡挥发油的GC-MS分析及抑菌活性研究

目的:研究烟台柴胡地上部分的挥发油成分及其抑菌活性。方法:水蒸气蒸馏法提取烟台柴胡地上部分挥发油,采用气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS)技术,分析、鉴定挥发油的化学成分。采用滤纸片固相扩散法进行抗菌活性试验并采用平板连续稀释法测定其最小抑菌浓度(MIC)。结果:首次提取了烟台柴胡地上部分挥发油,成功鉴定出30种化合物,并对其抑菌作用进行了研究,发现其具有广谱抗菌性。结论:烟台柴胡地上部分挥发油主要成分为萜类化合物和低分子脂肪烃类化合物,其对供试菌的抑菌强度由大到小为金黄葡萄球菌>桔青霉>大肠埃希菌>白色葡萄球菌>枯草芽孢杆菌>黑曲霉>黄曲霉。     

假益智果实挥发油成分分析及其抑菌活性

目的:对假益智果实挥发油进行化学成分研究,并进行抗菌活性测试,为进一步研究开发假益智提供实验依据。方法:使用水蒸气蒸馏法从假益智的果实中提取出挥发油,运用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用技术进行分析;使用微量稀释法测试挥发油的抗菌活性。结果:假益智果实挥发油提取率为0.17%,检测到42个化合物,鉴定出31个,占挥发油总成分的94.18%。挥发油对四联球菌具有很好的抑菌作用,最小抑制浓度为12.5 g·L-1,对白色葡萄球菌、蜡状芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、大肠埃希菌细菌具有中等强度的抑制作用。结论:本文对假益智果实进行挥发油提取鉴定,其主要成分为萜类、长链烃类化合物。抗菌实验结果表明假益智果实挥发油对四联球菌具有较好的抗菌活性。     

木姜子挥发油的化学成分及抑菌活性研究

目的:阐明木姜子挥发油的化学成分、测试其抑菌活性,为木姜子资源的深度开发提供可靠的依据。方法:采用水蒸汽蒸馏提取挥发油,用气相色谱-质谱联用仪进行分析,结合计算机检索技术,对化学成分进行鉴定,应用气相色谱峰面积归一化法测定各成分的相对含量。采用微量稀释法测试木姜子挥发油抑菌活性。结果:从木姜子挥发油中分离出41种成分,鉴定出32种,所有鉴定出的化合物含量和占总量的89.81%;抑菌活性研究表明木姜子挥发油对8种受试菌均有不同程度的抑制作用,抑制强度依次为枯草杆菌<金黄色葡萄球菌,黑曲霉<白色念珠菌<黄曲霉<新型隐球菌,大肠杆菌<绿脓杆菌。结论:木姜子挥发油的主要成分为萜类,它有较强的抑菌作用,木姜子资源有很好的生态效益和经济效益。     

广东紫珠挥发油化学成分的GC-MS分析及体外抗菌活性

目的:分离和分析广东紫珠挥发油的化学成分,并考察其体外抗菌活性。方法:采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取广东紫珠挥发油,应用气质联用(GC-MS)法分析挥发油的化学成分,结合计算机检索技术对分离的化合物进行鉴定,应用色谱峰面积归一化法计算各成分的相对百分含量。结果:鉴定了38个化合物,占总离子流图峰面积的76.01%。广东紫珠挥发油对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌和白色念珠菌显示出不同抗菌活性。结论:广东紫珠挥发油的主要化学成分是萜类化合物(59.25%),对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌和白色念珠菌显示出不同的抗菌活性。     

不同溶剂提取青翘、老翘的活性成分及抑菌活性的比较研究

目的探讨不同溶剂提取青翘和老翘的活性成分与抑菌活性比较研究。方法采用连续回流提取青翘、老翘中主要成分并测定含量。并采用K-B纸片扩散法,研究不同溶剂提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、白色念球菌的抑制作用。结果青翘的抑菌活性优于老翘,对于大肠杆菌和白色念珠菌,不同提取物的抑菌活性与3个活性成分含量基本一致,而对金黄色葡萄球菌不是很一致。结论不同溶剂提取青翘和老翘提取物对三种菌有不同程度的抑制活性。     

黔产青皮挥发油化学成分及抑菌活性研究

目的:对黔产青皮的挥发油化学成分及抑菌活性进行研究。方法:利用水蒸气蒸馏法从青皮中提取挥发油,用气相色谱-质谱联用法(GC-MS)分析鉴定成分并进行抑菌活性研究试验。结果:从挥发油中共鉴定出49个化学成分,占挥发油色谱总峰面积的96.39%;抑菌活性研究表明青皮挥发油对5种受试菌有一定的抑制作用,对枯草芽孢杆菌、大肠埃希氏菌、伤寒沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和藤黄微球菌的最小抑菌浓度分别为0.65～1.25,1.25,0.62～1.25,0.62,0.31～0.62 g.L-1。结论:青皮挥发油的主要成分为萜类,具有一定的抗菌活性。     

南美蟛蜞菊花挥发油GC-MS分析及抗菌活性研究

目的：分析新鲜南美蟛蜞菊花挥发油中的化学成分,进行抑菌活性测试。方法：采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取南美蟛蜞菊花挥发油,运用气相色谱-质谱联用技术（GC-MS）对其成分进行分析;微量稀释法测试所得挥发油对6种菌株（大肠菌、蜡状芽孢杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、四联球菌、藤黄八叠球菌、白色葡萄球菌）的抑菌活性。结果：南美蟛蜞菊花挥发油提取收率为0.72‰,检测到61个化合物,鉴定出57个,含量占总挥发油的92.92%;该挥发油对枯草芽孢杆菌、藤黄八叠球菌具有良好的抑制活性,最小抑菌浓度分别为0.39,0.78 mg·L^-1。结论：从南美蟛蜞菊花中提取挥发油并鉴定化学成分,发现其富含结构多样的倍半萜类化合物,为南美蟛蜞菊的开发利用提供实验依据。     

尖瓣海莲叶内生真菌Penicillium sp. B21代谢产物挥发油成分及抑菌活性

目的:对尖瓣海莲叶内生真菌Penicillium sp.B21的发酵液挥发油成分进行分析,并对其抑菌活性进行初筛。方法:水蒸气蒸馏法提取海桑叶内生真菌Penicillium sp.B21的发酵液挥发油,GC-MS鉴定挥发油成分,96孔板酶标法对挥发性组分抑菌活性初筛。结果:水蒸气蒸馏法提取的挥发性组分,每100 g发酵产物得到挥发油1.82 g。GC-MS共鉴定出挥发油组分39个,占挥发油总质量的93.89%。抑菌活性测试表明,在质量浓度20 mg·L~(-1)下,挥发油对大肠埃希菌和白色葡萄球菌具有较好的抑菌活性。结论:尖瓣海莲叶内生真菌Penicillium sp.B21发酵液挥发油成分具有一定的抑菌活性,拓展了其在医药、食品等领域的应用和研究。     

光茎大黄挥发油成分分析及体外抑菌活性初步研究

目的:对光茎大黄根部的挥发性成分进行分析,并进行初步的体外抑菌活性研究。方法:采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取挥发油,并利用GC-MS技术进行成分分析,利用“K-B”法进行体外抑菌活性研究。结果:利用GC-MS技术分析了24个峰,其含量占挥发油总量的64.38%。体外抑菌活性研究表明,大黄挥发油对金黄色葡萄球菌有较强的抑制作用,对大肠杆菌和铜绿菌有一定的抑制作用。结论:挥发油中主要含有机酸(酯)类,其对G 、G菌有一定抑制作用。     

两种方法提取羌药茹玛的挥发油成分分析及其抑菌活性的研究

目的:分析比较2种方法提取的羌药茹玛的挥发油化学成分以及抑菌活性。方法:采用水蒸气蒸馏法(SD)和超临界CO2萃取法(SFE)提取茹玛的挥发油,通过气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)分析挥发油的化学成分,并通过比浊法和采用常量二倍稀释法对4种常见致病菌进行体外抑菌实验。结果:SD和SFE提取挥发油的提取率分别为1.44%和7.15%,两种挥发油共检测出68种成分,其中,SD挥发油有28种,SFE挥发油有48种,两种挥发油相同成分有8种,这8种成分占SD挥发油的63.85%,占SFE的13.44%。羌药茹玛的挥发油对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、志贺氏菌和白色念珠菌都有不同程度的抑制作用,对白色念珠菌的抑制最强。SD挥发油和SFE挥发油相比,SD挥发油抑菌效果较强。结论:2种方法提取茹玛的挥发油在提取率、成分和抑菌活性上都有差异,但是2种挥发油对白色念球菌的抑制效果都很明显,为茹玛的应用和开发提供了基础数据。     

Chemical and biological characterisation of solvent extracts and essential oils from leaves and fruit of two Australian species of Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae) used in aboriginal medicinal practice

Ethnopharmacological significance

Although no known medicinal use for Pittosporum undulatum Vent. (Pittosporaceae) has been recorded, anecdotal evidence suggests that Australian Aboriginal people used Pittosporum angustifolium Lodd., G. Lodd. & W. Lodd. topically for eczema, pruritis or to induce lactation in mothers following child-birth and internally for coughs, colds or cramps.

Aims of the study

Essential oil composition and bioactivity as well as differential solvent extract antimicrobial activity from Pittosporum angustifolium are investigated here first, to partially describe the composition of volatiles released in traditional applications of Pittosporum angustifolium for colds or as a lactagogue, and second to investigate antibacterial activity related to topical applications. Essential oils were also investigated from Pittosporum undulatum Vent., first to enhance essential oil data produced in previous studies, and second as a comparison to Pittosporum angustifolium.

Materials and methods

Essential oils were hydrodistilled from fruit and leaves of both species using a modified approach to lessen the negative (frothing) effect of saponins. This was achieved by floating pumice or pearlite obsidian over the mixture to crush the suds formed while boiling. Essential oil extracts were analysed using GC–MS, quantified using GC-FID then screened for antimicrobial activity using a micro-titre plate broth dilution assay (MIC). Using dichloromethane, methanol, hexane and H₂O as solvents, extracts were produced from leaves and fruit of Pittosporum angustifolium and screened for antimicrobial activity and qualitative phytochemical character.

Results

Although the essential oil from leaves and fruit of Pittosporum undulatum demonstrated some component variation, the essential oil from fruits of Pittosporum angustifolium had major constituents that strongly varied according to the geographical location of collection, suggesting the existence of at least two chemotypes; one with high abundance of acetic acid decyl ester. This chemotype had high antimicrobial activity whilst the other chemotype had only moderate antimicrobial activity against the three microbial species investigated here. This result may support the occurrence of geographical specificity with regard to ethnopharmacological use. Antimicrobial activity screening of the solvent extracts from Pittosporum angustifolium revealed the leaves to be superior to fruit, with water being the most suitable extraction solvent.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this study constitutes the first time essential oils, and solvent extracts from the fruits of Pittosporum angustifolium, have been examined employing comprehensive chemical and biological analysis. The essential oil composition presented in this paper, includes components with structural similarity as chemosemiotic compounds involved in mother–infant identification, which may have significance with regard to traditional applications as a lactagogue.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Excel essential oil

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Excel (family Euphorbiaceae) stem bark is used in Cameroon by Baka pygmies as a remedy for wound healing and tetanus.

Aim of the study

To characterize the chemical composition and to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of the plant.

Materials and methods

The essential oil was extracted from the stem bark by dynamic head space and by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC and GC-MS analyses. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated on the basis of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal–fungicidal concentration (MBC–MFC) by the micro and macrodilution methods. The following bacteria and fungi were used: Clostridium sporogenes ATCC 3584, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida albicans LM 450, Trichophyton mentagrophytes LM 230, Trichophyton rubrum LM 237, Microsporum canis LM 324.

Results

The hydrodistillation afforded 0.06% (dry weight basis) of pale yellow oil. Thirty-eight compounds representing 90.69% were identified. The major component (36.40%) was found to be (E)-isoelemicin, identified by comparison of its ¹H-NMR experimental data, with literature data. The oil showed good antibacterial activity against Clostridium Sporogenes, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pyogenes with MIC ranging from 13.5 to 126 μg/ml. A weak antifungal activity (MIC 250 μg/ml) was found against Trichophyton rubrum, only.

Conclusions

The antimicrobial activity and the chemical composition of Phyllanthus muellerianus stem bark essential oil are reported for the first time.     

Antidepressant activity of Litsea glaucescens essential oil: Identification of β-pinene and linalool as active principles

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Litsea glaucescens (Lauraceae) has been used in Mexican Traditional Medicine to relieve illness related to central nervous system, such as epilepsy, fright and sadness. In this study, L. glaucescens essential oil properties on central nervous system were evaluated in mice using different behavioral tests.

Materials and methods

The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Identification of major compounds was also carried out by comparison with authentic samples. The psychopharmacological profile of L. glaucescens essential oil, and some its major compounds, were evaluated in mice using several experimental models: forced swimming test (FST: Antidepressant-like activity), open field test (OFT: Spontaneous locomotor activity), elevated plus-maze (EPM: Anxiolytic-like activity), exploratory cylinder (ECT: Sedative-like activity), rotarod (motor coordination) and traction performance (myo-relaxant effect) the essential oil and active principles was administered intraperitoneally.

Results

The essential oil showed antidepressant-like activity at doses of 100 and 300 mg/Kg. The monoterpenes β-pinene and linalool were identified as the two main active principles of the essential oil, and showed antidepressant-like and sedative-like activity. Eucalyptol, limonene and α-pinene they did not show antidepressant-like activity, and were not further tested.

Conclusions

L. glaucescens essential oil showed antidepressant activity, β-pinene and linalool were identified as its active principles. These results support the use of L. glaucescens in Mexican Traditional Medicine for the treatment of sadness.     

Antibacterial,cytotoxic activities and chemical composition of fruits of two Cameroonian Zanthoxylum species

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Zanthoxylum leprieurii (Syn. Fagara leprieurii) is a plant extensively used by traditional healers in Cameroon for the treatment of stomach disorders, gonorrhea, intestinal parasites and sterility. The infusion from the fruit is taken in Cameroon for the treatment of sickle cell anemia, as well. Similarly, the roots of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Syn. Fagara zanthoxyloides) are also used for wound dressing, sickle cell anemia and as pain reliever, in addition to the uses mentioned for Zanthoxylum leprieurii.

Aim of the study

To scientifically validate their traditional use, the in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer assays were performed. In addition, chemical compositions of their fruit extracts and essential oils were also studied.

Material and methods

The chemical compositions of their essential oils and methanol extracts were studied. GC and GC–MS were used for analyzing the essential oils while various chromatographic methods were used to isolate the pure compounds from methanol extracts. MTT assay was used for the cytotoxic studies of methanol extracts, their fractions and some pure compounds. Antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts, some isolated compounds as well as essential oils was tested against a panel of human pathogenic bacteria by diffusion and dilution methods.

Results

The principal constituents of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides were identified as citronellol and geraniol whereas Zanthoxylum leprieurii was rich in E-β-ocimene. Furthermore, we report for the first time, the presence of 7,8-dimethoxycoumarin and sinapic acid in the methanol extract of Zanthoxylum leprieurii. In vitro bioassays reveal that the methanol extracts, essential oil and some of the isolated compounds from fruits of both the plants exhibit moderate anticancer and antimicrobial activities.

Conclusion

Altogether, the present findings justify the traditional use of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Zanthoxylum leprieurii in the treatment of stomach disorders and cancer disease. The antimicrobial properties in the essential oil of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides are of additional significance.     

不同方法提取青蒿挥发油成分分析及抗菌活性比较

目的:采用不同方法对青蒿挥发油进行提取,研究提取过程的优化条件,并对所得青蒿挥发油分别进行抗菌活性研究及GC-MS分析,用于指导制药。方法:采用索氏提取法和直接蒸馏法提取青蒿挥发油,分别进行抗菌实验研,采用气相色谱-质谱分析法对两种方法得到的挥发油进行成分分析。结果:索氏提取法提取青蒿挥发油的优化条件是:料液比约为1∶7.8,提取时间为3 h。直接蒸馏法提取青蒿挥发油的优化条件是:料液比为1∶7.4,蒸馏时间为5 h。索氏提取法所得青蒿挥发油为青蒿油-1,直接蒸馏法所得青蒿挥发油为青蒿油-2。青蒿油-1对黑曲霉的最低抑制浓度(MIC)为1.25%,菌刺孢属的最低抑制浓度(MIC)为1.25%,青霉的最低抑制浓度(MIC)为5.0%,马青霉的最低抑制浓度(MIC)为1.25%。青蒿油-2对4种细菌最低抑制浓度分别为北京棒状杆菌:0.023 5%,枯草芽孢杆菌0.023 5%,四联球菌0.005 9%,普通变形杆菌3.75%。进行GC-MS分析,青蒿油-1中分离出55个峰,鉴定出48个化合物,青蒿油-2中分离出48个峰,鉴定出39个化合物。结论:青蒿油-1抗真菌作用好于抗细菌作用,可能与青蒿油-1中酮类、醚类、有机酸类具有较强的抗真菌作用(共占总量的8.25%)有关;烯类是挥发油中重要的抗菌成分,青蒿油-2的抗菌作用好于青蒿油-1,可能与青蒿油-2的烯类含量(烯类65.42%)远远高于青蒿油-1(26.49%)有关。     

Antimicrobial activity of Ulopterol isolated from Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam.: a traditional medicinal plant

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The leaves of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. (Rutaceae) are widely used in folk medicine in India to treat various ailments like cough, malaria, indigestion, influenza lung diseases and rheumatism, fever, stomach ailments, cholera and diarrhea. In our earlier communication we have reported the antimicrobial study on the various extracts of the leaves and the isolation and identification of Flindersine, a quinolone alkaloid as the major active principle. In the present study, we report the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Ulopterol, a coumarin isolated as another major active antimicrobial principle.

Materials and methods

The leaves were successively extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. The extracts were studied for their antimicrobial activity against selected bacteria and fungi by using disc-diffusion method. The ethyl acetate extract which was found to possess highest antimicrobial activity was subjected to activity guided fractionation by column chromatography over silica gel. This resulted in the isolation of the coumarin, Ulopetrol, an active principle besides Flindersine which was reported by us earlier. The structure of the compound was elucidated using physical and spectroscopic data. Flindersine and Ulopterol were quantified by HPLC.

Results

Ulopterol showed activity against the bacteria viz. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-3967), Escherichia coli (ESBL-3984) and fungi viz. Aspergillus flavus, Candida krusei and Botrytis cinerea. Quantification by HPLC showed the content of Flindersine and Ulopterol to be 0.361% and 0.266% respectively on dry weight basis of the leaves.

Conclusions

Ethyl acetate extract (successive extraction) contained Ulopterol, a coumarin, besides Flindersine, a quinolone alkaloid, as a major active principle in the antimicrobial studies. This is the first report of the antimicrobial activity of Ulopterol and also its first report from the plant.     

Medicinal compounds,chemically and biologically characterised from extracts of Australian Callitris endlicheri and C.glaucophylla (Cupressaceae): Used traditionally in Aboriginal and colonial pharmacopoeia

Ethnopharmacological significance

Callitrisendlicheri and C.glaucophylla were highly valued by Australian Aboriginal people for use in medicinal applications. Pine needles were prepared using modalities of either smoking or topical preparations, requiring either aqueous or lipophilic extraction into animal fat. Extracts treated various ailments consistent with pathogenic infection, or other topical or tracheal ailments not clearly elucidated in ethnopharmacological records.

Aim of the study

Here we aim firstly to investigate antimicrobial activities of both smoke, essential oil and solvent extracts and secondly to chemically characterise significant volatile compounds potentially related to medicinal or antimicrobial activities.

Materials and methods

Essential oils were produced using traditional hydrodistillation of pine needles collected from Callitrisendlicheri and C.glaucophylla. From the same material, solvent extracts were produced separately, using acetone and methanol, and then smoke extracts were produced with separate methods described herein, using fresh needles. All extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against a range of bacterial organisms and sporicidal activity against pathogenic fungi (Trichophytonmentagrophytes, T.interdigitalis and T.rubrum).

Results

Essential oils produced only modest antibacterial activity and the Callitris endlicheri essential oil had moderate antifungal activity. Smoke extracts demonstrated considerable broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, but solvent extracts demonstrated more selective activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and the yeast Candida albicans. Chemical character of essential oils was consistent with previous studies; however, solvent and smoke extracts from fresh needles produced high concentrations of potentially medicinal abietane diterpenes, specifically pisiferal, pisiferol and ferruginol; well known from Japanese species with demonstrated bioactivity.

Conclusion

The occurrence of these diterpenes and other phenolics, in conjunction with significant antimicrobial activities from the various extracts, is in alignment with the use of Australian Callitris species in Aboriginal medicinal practice.     

千里光花挥发油成分分析及抑菌活性

目的:研究千里光花挥发油成分及其抑菌活性。方法:利用同时水蒸气蒸馏法提取挥发油,通过气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS)技术对其化学成分进行分析和鉴定;采用杯碟法对千里光花挥发油进行了抑菌活性研究。结果:从挥发油中共分离出42个化合物,鉴定出28个化合物,占总挥发油的89.59%,主要成分为(E)罗勒烯(14.60%),橙花叔醇(13.57%),α-蒎烯(12.95%),(Z)罗勒烯(11.67%),2-萘胺(6.98%);千里光花挥发油对枯草芽孢杆菌具有抑制作用,而对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌都没见明显的抑制作用。结论:分析结果可为千里光花的综合开发和利用提供科学依据。     

New compounds,chemical composition,antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of the essential oil from Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab., an endemic species of Central Sahara

Ethnopharmacologic relevance

Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab. (Myrtaceae) known as Sahara myrtle is appreciated by the Touaregs as medicinal plant. Infusion of leaves is employed against diarrhea and blennorrhea. Crushed leaves added to oil or to butter ointment have been traditionally used for the treatment of dermatosis. Aim of the study is to consider the traditional medicinal uses and the lack of scientific studies on their biological activities, the present study was designed to elucidate the chemical composition, the antifungal activity of its essential oils against fungi responsible for human infections, as well as, its cytotoxicity in the mammalian keratinocytes.

Materials and methods

Chemical analysis of Myrtus nivellei essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation of aerial parts (leaves and flowers), was carried out using a combination of chromatographic (CC, GC with retention indices) and spectroscopic techniques (MS, ¹³C NMR, 2D NMR). The antifungal activity was evaluated by using broth macrodilution methods for yeasts and filamentous fungi. Cytotoxicity was tested in HaCaT keratinocytes through the MTT assay.

Results

Ten samples coming from two localities of harvest were investigated. The chemical composition was largely dominated by 1,8-cineole (33.6–50.4%) and limonene (17.5–25.0%). The structure of two new compounds bearing the isoamylcyclopentane skeleton has been elucidated. The oil was more active against Cryptococcus neoformans with MIC of 0.16 μL/mL followed by dermatophytes, with MICs of 0.64 and 1.25 μL/mL. Furthermore, evaluation of cell viability showed no cytotoxicity in HaCaT keratinocytes at concentrations up to 1.25 µL/mL.

Conclusions

The composition of Myrtus nivellei oil differed from that of Myrtus communis. The structure of two di-nor-sesquiterpenoids has been elucidated. It was possible to find appropriate doses of Myrtus nivellei oil with both antifungal activity and very low detrimental effect on keratinocytes. These findings add significant information to the pharmacological activity of Myrtus nivellei essential oils, specifically to its antifungal properties, thus justifying and reinforcing the use of this plant in traditional medicine.