Sesquiterpene-rich and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Simarouba glauca DC. leaves

Simarouba glauca DC. (Simaroubaceae) is a native tree species from South America that has a straight trunk with finely fissured bark, and pinnate leaves commonly known as the paradise tree. The chemical constituents of S. glauca leaves were extracted using a Clavenger-type apparatus and analysed by HRGC-MS. The antioxidant activity of the oil was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) coloured persistent radical assay. Forty-six constituents were identified, comprising 94.8% of the total oil. The major compounds were β-caryophyllene (44.0%), germacrene D (12.6%), α-humulene (6.8%), α-copaene (6.1%), and trans-Sabinene hydrate (5.1%). The oil was found to contain sesquiterpene-rich constituents. The IC50 of the essential oil of S. glauca was found to be 0.60 ± 0.03 mg/ml. This research presents the first report on the chemical composition of S. glauca leaves essential oil.