Genotoxic, cytotoxic and fungicidal activity of the essential oil extracted from the leaves and fruits of the pink pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi)

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi is a tree present in Latin America, mainly in Brazil. The essential oils obtained from its leaves (LEO) and fruits (FEO) were evaluated for chemical composition cytotoxic, genotoxic and antifungal activities. The extraction of the essential oils was accomplished by the hydrodistillation technique. The characterization and quantification of the constituents were performed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometry detector and gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector, respectively. The cytotoxic assay using tumor cells (lung adenocarcinoma, breast carcinoma, and melanoma) and normal cells was determined by the MTS assay. Genotoxic potential on normal cells was evaluated by Cometa assay. The analysis of antifungal activity was performed by evaluating the inhibitory effect on the growth of the Aspergillys carbonarius and Aspergillus flavus filamentous fungi using the disc diffusion test. The LEO contains limonene, D-germacrene, β-trans-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, α-epi-murolol and α-copaene as the principal constituents, whereas the major constituents of FEO are myrcene, Δ-3-carene, β-eudesmol and α-phellandrene. Regarding cytotoxic activity on tumor cells, FEO was more effective than LEO. The IC50 values found for FEO on tumor cells varied between 244-302 μg.mL-1 compared to 653.4 ± 1.11 for normal cells. LEO was more cytotoxic against normal cell than tumor. Neither FEO nor LEO induced DNA damage at tested experimental conditions. A Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of 125 μL.mL-1 of both essential oils was determined for the fungi analyzed. It is inferred that these essential oils can be used in drug formulations when used in the correct concentration