Chemical profile and pharmacological effects of the resin and essential oil from Bursera slechtendalii: A medicinal “copal tree” of southern Mexico

Abstract

This study reports on the volatile profile and pharmacological activities of the essential oil and resin from Bursera slechtendalii, an aromatic medicinal tree commercialized in southern Mexico. The essential oil contained 25 volatiles including p-cymen-8-ol (25.4–35.7%), n-hexyl hexanoate (6.8–17.6%) and n-octyl hexanoate (7.6–14.8%), whereas the crystallized resin contained 14 volatiles, including n-octyl acetate (29.6–34.2%), limonene (15.8–18.7%) and n-octyl butyrate (12.6–17-6%). The inhalation of vapors from the resin and essential oil caused a significant anxiolytic-like effect (p < .01) in ICR mice after 20 min of exposure at a dose of 50–150 mg L−1. The prolonged inhalation of the essential oil (for 40 days, for 15 min, twice a day) produced a significant decrease (p < .01) in total cholesterol and LDL-c content as well as an increase of HDL-c levels in the same murine model. Interestingly, levels of hepatic lipid hydroperoxide decreased, whereas the hepatic activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was significantly enhanced (P < .05). The detection of p-cymen-8-ol and n-octyl acetate in the plasma of mice strongly suggests their bioavailability and possible role in the biological activities described herein. Also, both the resin and essential oil from B. slechtendalii, as well as their main volatiles, showed a potent repellence activity against Aedes aegypti (p < .01).