Abstract
The essential oils of Schinus areira L. and S. longifolia (Lindl.) Speg. (Anacardiaceae) have been studied for their in vitro anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activities. The chemical composition of the oils obtained by hydrodistillation was determined by GC-MS. Fruit and leaf oils of S. areira were analyzed separately. The essential oil from S. longifolia elicited marked enzymatic inhibition (IC50 = 20.0 ± 1.0 μg/mL) and showed radical scavenger activity (IC50 = 25.2 ± 2.4 μg/mL). The essential oil from S. areira leaves was more active than that of the fruits in both bioassays.
