Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Certain Plants Belonging to Family Anacardiaceae

Abstract

The present study includes in-depth phytochemical and biological investigations on the different extracts of Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Cabrera leaves and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi bark as well as their essential oils and n-hexane extracts. The phytochemical investigation had led to isolation of a new natural compound; luteolin-(6→8)-apigenin, along with eleven known compounds. Additionally, LC-ESI-MS-MS technique allowed the tentative identification of twelve and seventeen phenolic compounds in the 80% aqueous methanolic extracts of S. polygamus leaves and S. terebinthifolius bark, respectively. Moreover, GC/MS analysis were performed on the essential oils and hexane extracts isolated from different organs of S. polygamus and S. terebinthifolius. Regarding the biological investigation, the different extracts, essential oils and compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective and anti-arthritic activities. The aqueous methanolic extracts of both species showed significant in vivo anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties. Moreover, agathisflavone (isolated from S. polygamus) and S. terebinthifolius fruit oil significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced anxiety and memory deficits in zebrafish. All isolated essential oils displayed a significant inhibitory activity against the bacterial strains; Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33591, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 with MIC values ranging between 25 to 300 μg/mL. Also, all isolated oils exerted potent cytotoxic effects against HepG2 and Caco-2 cell lines with IC50 values ranging between 1.56 to 24.12 µg/mL. Furthermore, the hexane extracts showed weak cytotoxic and moderate anti-arthritic effects in a concentration-dependent manner.