Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this work was to
identify the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the
flowers and leaves of Elaeagnus angostifolia (Elaeagnaceae) along with
evaluate the radical scavenging and general toxicity activities.
Methods: A combination of GC-MS and
GC-FID were utilized for analyzing the chemical profile of the essential oils
extracted by hydro-distillation from the leaves and flowers of E.
angustifolia. The essential oils were subjected to general toxicity and
radical scavenging assays using brine shrimp lethality test and DPPH method,
respectively.
Results: In total, 53 and 25
components were identified and quantified in the essential oils of flowers and
leaves, accounting for 96.59% and 98.97% of the oil, respectively. The both
oils were observed to be rich in ester compounds. The most abundant components
of the oil from flowers were E-ethyl
cinnamate (60.00%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (9.99%), palmitic acid (5.20%)
and phytol (3.29%). The major constituents of the oil from leaves were E-ethyl
cinnamate (37.27%), phytol (12.08%), nonanal (10.74%) and Z-3-hexenyl benzoate
(7.65%). Both oils showed moderate activity in DPPH
assay; however, they exhibited potent tocixity in brine shrimp lethality test.
Conclusion:
The remarkable toxicity effects of the oils are worthy to further investigation
to find the probable mechanisms of action accountable for the noticeable toxic
effect of these essential oils.