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Plants offer a bountiful source of natural pest control solutions through their essential oils. This research introduces and analyzes an eco-friendly natural essential oil for red flour beetle control. Therefore, the current study was included to show the chemical profile and the insecticidal efficacy of resin essential oil (REO) and its fractions (F1–3), resulting from chromatographic separation, from the plant Schinus molle against Tribolium castaneum adults. The trunk bark resin essential oil and its fractions’ composition were analyzed by GC-MS. Overall, 33 constituents with 98.3% of the total EO composition were identified. REO and F1–3 displayed impressive repellent properties at a concentration of 0.12 µL/cm2. After 120 min of exposure, repellency ranged from 73.3% to a remarkable 96.7%. They also exhibited noteworthy fumigant properties, with median lethal doses of LD50 = 120.6–160.8 μL/L. The fractions F1 and F3 showed the most notable topical toxicity at a concentration of 10%, with LD50 values of 8.6% and 5.6%, respectively. Fractions F3 and F2 demonstrated the most effective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, providing insight into their insecticidal mechanisms. The in silico molecular docking and DFT studies corroborate the results of in vitro tests performed to identify new insecticide products derived from natural sources. more...

La contaminación del aire en zonas urbanas debido a las emisiones automotrices e industriales es un problema global, incluyendo la ciudad de Quito- Ecuador. En este contexto, estudios previos han señalado el uso efectivo de bioindicadores de la calidad del aire utilizando criptógamas epífitas (briofitas y líquenes), que son organismos sensibles a los contaminantes porque absorben agua y nutrientes del ambiente. En este estudio, determinamos por primera vez los cambios en la riqueza y composición de criptógamas epífitas en el árbol hospedador Schinus molle comparando zonas de alto, medio y bajo tráfico de vehículos. Para ello, registramos la frecuencia y la cobertura de líquenes y briófitos con una cuadrícula de 10 x 50 cm, dividida en veinte cuadrados de 5 x 5 cm sobre árboles de Schinus molle. Se registraron 30 especies (23 líquenes y 7 briofitas). La riqueza, la cobertura y la diversidad no indicaron cambios en relación con el tráfico de vehículos, sin embargo, la composición de las comunidades indicó ligeros cambios en relación con el tráfico de vehículos. La composición de las especies indicó cambios en relación con el tráfico de vehículos, donde las especies de los géneros Leptogium y Teloschistes eran dominantes en las zonas con poco tráfico, por el contrario, las especies de los géneros Candelaria, Physcia y Frullania se observaron en zonas con más tráfico que son tolerantes a la contaminación. Schinus molle es una especie muy importante como refugio para la diversidad de criptógamas epífitas en zonas urbanas. more...

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, represents an important and worldwide public health issue, particularly in Latin America. Limitations of conventional treatment with benznidazole and nifurtimox underscore the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies for this disease. Schinus molle, a tree used in traditional medicine for various ailments, has demonstrated promising antiparasitic activity. The in vitro anti-T. cruzi activity of Schinus molle crude methanol extract, partitions, and fractions, as well as their cytotoxicity in Vero cells and Artemia salina, and hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes were assessed. Most of the extracts possessed anti-T. cruzi effects, with Sm-CF3 being the fraction with the highest activity (IC50 = 19 µg/mL; SI = 6.8). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified 20 compounds, with fatty acyls comprising the predominant chemical class (55%). We also identified the antiparasitic compounds cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid and trans-Z-α-bisabolene epoxide, suggesting their potential contribution to the observed anti-T. cruzi activity. In conclusion, our findings support the therapeutic potential of S. molle as a source of novel antiparasitic agents against T. cruzi. more...

The aims of this study are the phytochemical exploration and food valorization of Schinus molle L. (S. molle) and Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (S. terebinthifolia) from the Rabat, Morocco. Gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to analyze the chemical composition of the oils extracted from both species by soxhlet and maceration. Moreover, physicochemical characteristics such as lipid quality indexes such as thrombogenic index (TI), atherogenic index (AI), oxidation susceptibility (OS), and calculated oxidability (Cox) were determined. These characteristics included percentage acidity, peroxide, saponification, iodine, specific extinction values, chlorophyll, and carotenoid pigments. As results, the oil yields varied from 7% (S. molle) to 13% (S. terebinthifolia). In addition, unsaturated fatty acids represented the major fraction for S. terebinthifolia (79%) and S. molle (81%). However, S. terebinthifolia contains more saturated fatty acids (20%) than S. molle (16%) with a predominance of linoleic acid (59.53% and 55%, C18,2), oleic acid (19.29% and 21.69%, C18,1), and palmitic acid (12.56% and 15.48%, C16,0) in S. molle and S. terebinthifolia, respectively. Moreover, the main sterols are β-sitosterol followed by campesterol and then Δ-5-avenasterol, while β-sitosterol varies according to the species and the extraction method. Results revealed also that campesterol is influenced by the extraction results in a content of 179.66 mg/kg (soxhlet) and 63.48 mg/kg (maceration) for S. molle, while S. terebinthifolia yeilds concentrations of 170 mg/kg and 138 mg/kg, then Δ-5-avenasterol, which present with (117 mg/kg and 136 mg/kg), (34 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg) of the total amount of sterols for the oils extracted by soxhlet and maceration, respectively. In addition, there are favorable physicochemical properties for all oils, such as chlorophylls (0.4 to 0.8 mg/kg) and carotenoids (0.7 to 2 mg/kg). However, further investigations are needed to determine other chemical compounds of both extracts as well as to evaluate their biological and health benefits. more...

Background: Liver disease is any disease that negatively affects the normal function of the liver, and it is a major health problem that challenges not only healthcare professionals, but also the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. Similarly, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children under five globally next to pneumonia. The available synthetic drugs for the treatment of liver disorders and diarrhoea have limited safety and efficacy. Objective: To evaluate the in vivo hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities of hydroalcoholic leaf and fruit extracts of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) in mice. Methods: Hepatoprotective activity of the extracts was evaluated by using CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in mice model. In this model, mice were divided into groups and treated as follows. The normal control and toxicant control groups were treated with the vehicle used for reconstitution, the positive control was treated with the standard drug (silymarin), and the test groups were treated with different doses of plant extracts daily in the morning for seven days. Additionally, all groups except the normal control were treated with CCl4 (2 mg/kg, IP) on the 4th day of treatment, 30 min post-dose. On the 7th day, blood was collected from each mouse via a cardiac puncture. The collected blood was centrifuged, and serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP were determined using an automated chemistry analyser. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post-hoc test.The antidiarrheal activity of the extract was investigated using castor oil-induced diarrhoea, enteropooling, and small intestine transit. The test groups received various doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the extract, whereas the positive control received loperamide (3 mg/kg), and the negative control received the vehicle (distilled water, 10 ml/kg). Result: Hepatoprotective activity: The leaf and fruit crude extracts showed significant improvement in the body weight and liver weight of mice compared to the untreated toxicant control. Additionally, treatment with hydromethanol leaf and fruit extracts caused a significant (P 0.05) the level of albumin compared with the toxicant control.Antidiarrheal activity: In the castor oil-induced diarrheal model, the 80 % methanol extract delayed the onset of defaecation and significantly reduced the number and weight of faeces at all tested doses compared to the negative control. In the enteropooling test, 80 ME significantly (P more...

Plants offer a bountiful source of natural pest control solutions through their essential oils. This research introduces and analyzes an eco-friendly natural essential oil for red flour beetle control. Therefore, the current study was included to show the chemical profile and the insecticidal efficacy of resin essential oil (REO) and its fractions (F 1-3 ), resulting from chromatographic separation, from the plant Schinus molle against Tribolium castaneum adults. The trunk bark resin essential oil and its fractions' composition were analyzed by GC-MS. Overall, 33 constituents with 98.3% of the total EO composition were identified. REO and F 1-3 displayed impressive repellent properties at a concentration of 0.12 µL/cm 2 . After 120 min of exposure, repellency ranged from 73.3% to a remarkable 96.7%. They also exhibited noteworthy fumigant properties, with median lethal doses of LD 50 = 120.6-160.8 μL/L. The fractions F 1 and F 3 showed the most notable topical toxicity at a concentration of 10%, with LD 50 values of 8.6% and 5.6%, respectively. Fractions F 3 and F 2 demonstrated the most effective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, providing insight into their insecticidal mechanisms. The in silico molecular docking and DFT studies corroborate the results of in vitro tests performed to identify new insecticide products derived from natural sources. more...

Introducción: La medicina tradicional podría ser una alternativa segura para potenciar la inmunidad de pacientes inmunocomprometidos propensos a infecciones recurrentes. Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad fagocítica y toxicidad in vivo del extracto acuoso de Schinus molle L. en Mus musculus BALB/c. Material y Métodos: Estudio experimental que utilizó una dosis única de extracto acuoso de hojas de Schinus molle de 2000 mg/kg. La fagocitosis in vivo se determinó en 10 ejemplares de M. musculus BALB/c que cumplieron criterios de inclusión y exclusión, distribuidos aleatoria y equitativamente en los grupos control y experimental. Los especímenes del grupo experimental fueron inoculados vía intraperitoneal con 0,5 ml de suspensión de Staphylococcus aureus y 0,5 ml del extracto acuoso. Los del grupo control con 0,5 ml del mismo inóculo bacteriano y 0,5 ml de solución salina estéril. La toxicidad del extracto se evaluó por el método de las clases de toxicidad aguda en 12 ejemplares de ratones con las mismas características y cumpliendo los mismos criterios aplicados en la evaluación de la fagocitosis in vivo. Resultados: El 57,1 % de los macrófagos expuestos al extracto acuoso de S. molle presentaron importante actividad fagocítica, encontrándose una media de 21 bacterias fagocitadas por macrófago. No se evidenciaron significativamente signos ni síntomas de toxicidad en los especímenes durante los 14 días de experimentación. Conclusiones: El extracto acuoso de S. molle incrementó significativamente la fagocitosis in vivo de los macrófagos peritoneales de M. musculus BALB/c, sin evidencia de clínica de toxicidad y en ausencia de mortalidad. more...

ABSTRACT This preliminary study investigated the chemical composition and biological properties of essential oils derived from Schinus molle L. leaves obtained from three specific regions in Algeria: Algiers (SMA), Djelfa (SMD), and Mascara (SMM). Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses confirmed the presence of 52 compounds (100.0%) in SMA essential oil, 50 compounds (100.0%) in SMD, and 72 compounds (100.0%) in SMM essential oils. The main components of SMA oil were camphene (31.82%), limonene (14.71%), and p‐cymene (9.25%). In SMD and SMM oils, α‐phellandrene (14.25% and 12.70%), limonene (13.02% and 11.90%), and germacrene D (10.62% and 10.15%) were the major components, respectively. The antioxidant characteristics were evaluated using five methods: β‐carotene‐linoleic acid, DPPH, ABTS+, CUPRAC, and Metal chelating assays. The results revealed a moderate to low anti‐oxidant effect, with SMA essential oils exhibiting the highest activity. A moderate inhibitory effect against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase, urease, and tyrosinase was observed, indicating anti‐enzymatic activity. Nevertheless, all samples had higher IC50 values for both antioxidant and anti‐enzymatic activities than 200 μg/mL. It was determined that regional differences in the locations where S. molle grows showed both qualitative and quantitative differences in essential oil components. This difference was also detected in the biological activities of the essential oils. The anti‐inflammatory capacities of the three samples were assessed using Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilisation and egg albumin denaturation techniques. The results showed effective anti‐inflammatory activity in all three samples. The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated using a range of tests, such as anti‐quorum sensing, violacein inhibition, anti‐swimming, and anti‐swarming assays, demonstrating moderate activity. No toxic effects were observed at the tested dosages when assessing cytotoxicity against a healthy cell line (CCD18‐Co). This thorough examination provides valuable insights into the chemical composition and bioactive properties of essential oils derived from S. molle. These findings indicate the possible use of these essential oils in the food, medicinal, and cosmetic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A partir del estudio de la historia y culto católico a la Santísima Cruz de Ampushino, el artículo presenta algunos hallazgos preliminares y plantea líneas de investigación futuras respecto a las conceptualizaciones sobre la naturaleza entre los habitantes de la localidad de Pamparomás (Cordillera Negra, Perú central). Para ello, la investigación traza la historia natural y cultural del Schinus molle en los Andes centrales, el árbol de cuyas ramas emergió la Cruz de Ampushino según la tradición local. Se hipotetiza que los poderes sobrenaturales atribuidos a la Cruz por sus devotos guardan estrecha cercanía con tradiciones religiosas prehispánicas de esta región andina. Considerando este trasfondo histórico y cultural, se describen transformaciones ambientales y sociales en curso en la zona. Finalmente, se plantea la importancia de una agenda de indagación futura que enfatice el estudio de perspectivas ético-ambientales de los residentes locales respecto al cambio ambiental, y se conjetura la posible emergencia de nuevas visiones sobre la naturaleza. more...

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Schinus molle L. is a medicinal species belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. It is commonly referred to as "aroeira" and its leaves and roots are utilized for treating different pathological conditions. However, despite its widespread use in traditional medicine, there is a lack of in-depth toxicological studies., Aim: To evaluate the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of S. molle aqueous extract/ethanol-soluble fraction in rats., Material and Methods: First, a purified aqueous extract was obtained from the leaves of S. mole through infusion (referred to as EESM) and its compounds were identified using LC-DAD-MS data. Female rats were then subjected to acute oral toxicity tests using doses of 5, 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg of ESSM. Studies on genetic material, including the micronucleus test and comet assay, were conducted on male and female Wistar rats using the same doses as in the acute toxicity test. For both assays, ESSM was administered orally., Results: The main metabolites annotated from ESSM were dimeric proanthocyanidins, phenylpropanoids acids, flavan-3-ols, simple organic acids (C6-C1), a flavonol di-O-glycosylated (rutin), and O-glycosylated megastigmane. The ESSM did not exhibit any acute toxic effects, such as changes in biochemical, hematologic, or histopathological analysis. Furthermore, no changes were observed in comet assay or micronucleus tests when rats were given doses of 5, 50, 300, or 2000 mg/kg of ESSM., Conclusion: The results showed that the ESSM does not induce acute toxicity or exhibit genotoxicity up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

Citrus canker, which is caused by Xanthomonas citri , is a severe disease that affects citrus plants worldwide. This paper aimed to compare, for the first time, the chemical composition and anti- Xanthomonas citri activities of essential oils from Schinus molle fresh and dry leaves (EO-FL and EO-DL, respectively). Anti- X. citri activity of spathulenol, the major constituent of oils, was also evaluated. Activities were screened by the broth microdilution method on 96-well culture plates. Three major constituents were identified in EO-FL and EO-DL by GC-MS and GC-FID: spathulenol, β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide. EO-DL (MIC = 31.25 µg/mL), EO-FL (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL) and spathulenol (MIC = 100 µg/mL) were active against X. citri strains (resistant, tolerant and sensitive to copper). Even though results showed that in vitro potential of EO-FL, EO-DL and spathulenol against X. citri , further in vivo studies are needed to prove their applicability to the biocontrol of citrus canker. more...

Introduction: There are several oral diseases caused by various microorganisms. In this work, we discuss periodontal pathogens, which cause chronic degenerative damage in the supporting tissues of teeth. This is why several treatments have been developed for their eradication, including phytocomponents and essential oils as an option in antimicrobial therapy. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the inhibitory effect of the essential oil of the plant species Schinus molle L. native to Ecuador on strain of Porphyromonas gingivalis at different concentrations. Methodology: This was a laboratory and longitudinal study in which the Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 strain was cultured in 20 Petri dishes, working with several exposure subgroups, including Group 1 - 50% essential oil of Schinus molle leaves; Group 2 - 100% essential oil of Schinus molle L.; Group 3 - 0.12% chlorhexidine (positive control); Group 4 - saline solution (negative control) with different incubation periods of 24 and 72 hours. Results: The Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 sample exposed to 100% plant species Schinus molle L. for 24 hours had an inhibition zone of 15 mm, demonstrating high sensitivity, and exposure for 72 hours produced a zone of 14 mm, also suggesting sensitivity. Exposure to S. molle L. at 50% for 24 hours produced a zone of inhibition of 9.65 mm, showing sensitivity; however, it is worthwhile to continue developing and evaluating this area of study. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that phytotherapy using the essential oil of the plant species Schinus molle L. represents a therapeutic option in cases of infections caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

FeNbO4 monoclinic nanocomposite semiconductors were synthesised using hydrothermal and sol gel methods; photocatalysts were then calcined at 800 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy (UV/Vis) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technologies were used to investigate crystallinity, morphology and optical properties of the photocatalysts. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the functional groups of both treated and untreated FeNbO4. It was found that the S. molle extract-treated FeNbO4 prepared using the hydrothermal method (FeNbO4-HT + S. molle) has the smallest nanoparticles (22.8 nm) with the smallest band gap energy (2.78 eV). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified the presence of the elements of FeNbO4 as well as their oxidation states. The photodegradation reactions of 10-ppm methyl orange dye solutions using FeNbO4-sol gel, FeNbO4-HT and FeNbO4-HT + S. molle were carried out under visible light (>420 nm) for 50 min. The reactions resulted in degradation percent of 74 %, 78 % and 96 % by using FeNbO4-sol gel, FeNbO4-HT and FeNbO4-HT + S. molle respectively. The photocatalytic activity of FeNbO4 treated with S. molle extract demonstrated superior light absorption and photostability, which is attributed to the consistency in the photocatalysts’ morphology, optical band gap, particle size distribution, and porosity. The photocatalysts remained stable and effective for five degradation cycles. more...

Background: The current research centers on exploring the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic features of Schinus molle L. grown in Turkey. Methods: Quantitative analysis of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and hyperoside levels in leaf, ripe fruit, and raw fruit extracts was conducted using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in a 70% methanol-water mixture. Among the extracts, the methanol extract from ripe fruits displayed the highest chlorogenic acid concentration, measuring at 2.040% ± 0.172% standard deviation (SD). Moreover, analysis of their total phenolic and flavonoid contents was carried out. Antioxidant power was assessed through different chemical assays, together with their antimicrobial and anti-diabetic properties. Results: The results of DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and reducing power assays showed that leaf and ripe fruit alcoholic extract exhibited peak performance. While the MIC ( minimum inhibitory concentration) values of the extracts were determined to have moderate bactericidal effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans it was observed that none of the extracts displayed biofilm inhibition. The inhibition percentage of α-glucosidase enzyme activity for the methanol extract of raw fruits was determined to be 99.11 ± 1.61. In diabetic β-TC cells, glucose level was measured as 129 ± 2.03 mg/dL, and insulin amount was measured as 37.2 ± 0.02 mg/dL. Conclusions: The findings of our study seem to have important implications for future research, as Schinus molle L. may be a potential pharmaceutical candidate with important pharmacological activities. more...

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi , represents an important and worldwide public health issue, particularly in Latin America. Limitations of conventional treatment with benznidazole and nifurtimox underscore the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies for this disease. Schinus molle , a tree used in traditional medicine for various ailments, has demonstrated promising antiparasitic activity. The in vitro anti- T. cruzi activity of Schinus molle crude methanol extract, partitions, and fractions, as well as their cytotoxicity in Vero cells and Artemia salina , and hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes were assessed. Most of the extracts possessed anti- T. cruzi effects, with Sm-CF3 being the fraction with the highest activity (IC 50 = 19 µg/mL; SI = 6.8). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified 20 compounds, with fatty acyls comprising the predominant chemical class (55%). We also identified the antiparasitic compounds cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid and trans-Z-α-bisabolene epoxide, suggesting their potential contribution to the observed anti- T. cruzi activity. In conclusion, our findings support the therapeutic potential of S. molle as a source of novel antiparasitic agents against T. cruzi . more...

Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) is considered as a major stored product pest. Conventional insecticides induce adverse effects on the environment. Plant derivative products constitute a promising alternative for pest control. The purpose of our research was to identify the chemical profile of essential oil (EO) extracted from Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) and to evaluate the fumigant and the contact toxicity, and the repellent activity of this oil on adults of Rhyzopertha dominica F. (Coleoptera), a major pest in products that are stored around the world. The effects of this oil were examined on biochemical profile (energy reserves and Proteins), selective biomarkers like acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferases (GST) and glutathione (GSH), and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Digestive enzymes were also investigated. The major chemical compounds identified by the GC-MS were α-phellandrene (16.613%), ß-phellandrene (12.104%), elemol (9.028%) and β-eudesmol (5.872%). Then, we evaluated the repellent activity, and also the effects in nutritional reserves and some biomarkers. This EO exhibited an insecticidal and repellent activity as a function of the exposure time and concentrations. Contact (LC50 at 24 h: 19.99 μL/mL) is the most effective mode of application compared to fumigation (LC50 at 24h: 174.30 μL/L air). S. molle EO was also investigated in digestive enzymes' activities (α-amylase, lipase, chitinase and protease). Our results revealed a decrease in both α-amylase, lipase, protease and chitinase activities in treated adults compared to controls. In addition, we noticed a neurotoxic activity of S. molle EO traduced by a decrease of AChE. An induction of the detoxification system was observed via a decrease in GSH rate and an increase in GST activity. Moreover, the treatment induces an alteration of biochemical profile of R. dominica adults. Lastly, essential oil was examined on nucleic acids. Results showed an increase in DNA and RNA amount in treated adults when compared with control. Due to their effective source of bioactive compounds, the EO from the studied plant could be used as an alternative strategy for the management of stored product pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This study reports on the chemical composition and antileishmanial and anticandidal activities of volatile oils (VOs) of Schinus molle dried leaves (SM), Cinnamomum cassia branch bark (CC) and their blends. Major constituents of SM were spathulenol (26.93 %), β-caryophyllene (19.90 %), and caryophyllene oxide (12.69 %), whereas (E)-cinnamaldehyde (60.11 %), cinnamyl acetate (20.90 %) and cis-2-methoxycinnamic acid (10.37 %) were predominant in CC. SM (IC 50 =21.45 μg/mL) and CC (IC 50 =23.27 μg/mL) displayed good activity against L. amazonensis promastigotes, besides having good or moderate activity against nine Candida strains, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values ranging from 31.25 to 250 μg/mL. While the three SM and CC blends were not more active than the VOs tested individually, they exhibited remarkably high antileishmanial activity, with IC 50 values ranging between 3.12 and 7.04 μg/mL, which is very similar to the IC 50 of amphotericin B (positive control)., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.) more...

Antimicrobial activity of solvent extracts of Brassica nigra, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Schinus molle were investigated against six bacterial pathogens. The highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) were noted for methanol extract of B. nigra against S. boydii. The highest activity index (AI) was noted in methanol extract of B. nigra against S. boydi (AI = 0.86) using ciprofloxacin as positive control but AI ≥ 1.0 in some extracts while using gentamicin as positive control. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged from 6.25 mg mL−1 to 100 mg mL−1. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was B. nigra > T. foenum-graecum > S. molle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Schinus molle is a perennial tree commonly known as “Pirul” in Mexico. This aromatic plant belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and the antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and cytotoxic activities of its bioactive essential oils have been previously investigated. Locally, the plant is mainly used as an analgesic, antiseptic, antibacterial, purgative and diuretic agent. In this study, the plant, which is generally grown as an ornamental plant on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, was evaluated in terms of its cytotoxic properties based on its secondary metabolites. Raw and ripe fruits, together with the plant’s leaves, were collected and extracted using different solvents. Both 70% methanol and water extracts of leaves, ripe fruits and raw fruits were prepared. The six different extracts obtained were tested in cell lines of humans’ most common cancer types (Du-145 prostate cancer, CaCo-2 colon cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer). As a result, methanol extracts prepared from the ripe fruits of the plant decreased the viability of three different cancer cells, especially MCF-7 and Du-145 cell lines, at low concentrations below 50%. Particularly in the MCF-7 cell line, the viability at 15 µg/mL was calculated as 46.03 ± 1.19%. While the cell line which was least effected by the extracts was CaCo-2, the extracts with the most negligible antiproliferative effect were the water extracts of the leaves and the raw and ripe fruits. more...

Schinus molle is a plant traditionally used in Mexico to treat gastric disorders. However, no scientific evidence has been reported on its gastroprotective effect. The aim of the current contribution was to conduct a bioassay-guided study on S. molle to evaluate its gastroprotective activity in a model of Wistar rats given ethanol orally to induce gastric lesions. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts from the tested plant showed over 99% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. From the hexane extract, two of the three fractions (F1 and F2) afforded over 99% gastroprotection. The F1 fraction was subjected to column chromatography, which revealed a white solid. Based on the ESI-MS analysis, the two main compounds in this solid were identified. The predominant compound was probably a triterpene. This mixture of compounds furnished about 67% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, and NEM was carried out to explore the possible involvement of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and/or sulfhydryl groups, respectively, in the gastroprotective activity of the white solid. We found evidence for the participation of all three factors. No antisecretory activity was detected (tested by pylorus ligation). In conclusion, evidence is herein provided for the first time of the gastroprotective effect of S. molle. more...

Schinus molle (SM) was investigated as a primary source of cellulose with the aim of discovering resources to generate cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The SM was put through a soda pulping process to purify the cellulose, and then, the fiber was treated with an enzymatic treatment. Then, a twin-screw extruder and/or masuko were utilized to help with fiber delamination during the nanofibrillation process. After the enzymatic treatment, the twin-screw extruder and masuko treatment give a yield of 49.6 and 50.2%, respectively. The optical and atomic force microscopy, morfi, and polymerization degrees of prepared cellulosic materials were established. The pulp fibers, collected following each treatment stage, demonstrated that fiber characteristics such as length and crystallinity varied according to the used treatment (mechanical or enzymatic treatment). Obviously, the enzymic treatment resulted in shorter fibers and an increased degree of polymerization. However, the CNF obtained after enzymatic and extrusion treatment was achieved, and it gave 19 nm as the arithmetic width and a Young’s modulus of 8.63 GPa. more...