Chemical Composition and Anticancer and Antioxidant Activities of Schinus Molle L. and Schinus Terebinthifolius Raddi Berries Essential Oils

Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation from berries of Schinus molle L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi originating from southern of Tunisia and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Among 57 and 62 compounds (% [mg/100 g dry matter]) identified in these oils, the main were a-phellandrene (46.52% [1256.15] and 34.38% [859.60]), beta-phellandrene (20.81% [561.74] and 10.61% [265.15]), alpha-terpineol (8.38% [226.26] and 5.60% [140.03]), alpha-pinene (4.34% [117.29] and 6.49% [162.25]), beta-pinene (4.96% [133.81] and 3.09% [77.30]) and p-cymene (2.49% [67.28] and 7.34% [183.40]), respectively. A marked quantity of gamma-cadinene (18.04% [451.05]) was also identified in the S. terebinthifolius essential oil whereas only traces (0.07% [1.81]) were detected in the essential oil of S. molle. The in vitro antioxidant and antiradical scavenging properties of the investigated essential oils were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Essential oil of S. terebinthifolius expressed stronger antioxidant activity in the ABTS assay, with an IC50 of 24 +/- 0.8 mg/L, compared to S. molle (IC50 = 257 +/- 10.3 mg/L). Essential oils were also evaluated for their anticancer activities against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). S. terebinthifolius essential oil was more effective against tested cell lines (IC50 = 47 +/- 9 mg/L) than that from S. molle (IC50 = 54 +/- 10 mg/L). Suggestions on relationships between chemical composition and biological activities are outlined.