| 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. |