Abstract
The pepper tree Schinus molle L. is an evergreen ornamental plant belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, native to South America and widespread throughout the world. It has biological activities and is used in folk medicine. This paper aims to contribute to a deeper knowledge of its chemical composition and biological properties. S. molle leaf extracts were obtained by sequential extraction with solvents of different polarities and subsequently tested on the HL-60 human leukaemia cell line to define a possible cytotoxic activity. Among the investigated extracts, the petroleum ether extract revealed a high cytotoxic activity, and its chemical composition was further investigated. By a silica column chromatography, eight fractions were obtained, and their compositions were determined by GC-MS analysis. Compounds and relative abundance differed widely among the fractions; sesquiterpenes resulted the main component and alcoholic sesquiterpenes the most abundant.
Highlights
“Pink pepper” is the common name of Schinus molle L., a plant belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, which originates in South America and nowadays distributed throughout the world [1, 2]
SML1, SML2, and SML3 were investigated by MTT assay to define the antiproliferative activities on human leukaemia cells (HL-60 cells)
The chemical composition of the petroleum ether extract (SML1) from leaves of Schinus molle L. and its eight fractions were determined by GC-MS and tested on HL-60 human leukaemia cells. e major component of the extract was elemol followed by germacrene D and squalene
Summary
“Pink pepper” is the common name of Schinus molle L., a plant belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, which originates in South America and nowadays distributed throughout the world [1, 2]. S. molle is a dioecious plant with a peppery smell lanceolate leaves, pendulous branches with yellowish-white flowers arranged in clusters, and coral-red fruits in the size of peppercorns [3]. Some studies investigated different parts of the plant such as leaves, mature as well as immature fruits, stems, and branches to define the molecular composition and the related biological activities [4,5,6,7,8]. In view of the growing interest in the application of the natural products in the food and pharmaceuticals and in order to contribute for a deeper knowledge of biological properties of S. molle, we report here our findings concerning the molecules possibly involved in the cytotoxic activity
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