Chemical Composition, Cytotoxic and Anti-arthritic Activities of Hexane Extracts of Certain Schinus Species

The genus Schinus (Anacardiaceae) comprises about 29 species that are utilized in both traditional and current medicine to alleviate various disorders such as rheumatism, bronchial infections, stomach upset, menstrual disturbance, bronchitis, and conjunctivitis. In this study we aimed to investigate the chemical composition of hexane extracts obtained from Schinus polygamous and Schinus terebinthifolius leaves as well as their cytotoxic and anti-arthritic activities. The GC-MS analysis of S. polygamus leaves revealed identification of fifty-five components: being betulin (6.54%), phytol acetate (5.27%), lupeol (3.96%), palmitic acid methyl ester (3.58%) and heptacosane (3.25%). While, seventeen compounds were identified in S. terebinthifolius leaves, predominately characterized by phytol (14.70%), lupeol (13.33%), linolenic acid methyl ester (11.17%), palmitic acid methyl ester (7.74%), and 28-oxours-12-en-3-yl acetate (7.44%). Both extracts showed moderate cytotoxic activities against hepatocellular carcinoma cells with IC50 values of 102.65 and 65.55 μg/mL, respectively. While colorectal carcinoma cell line presented IC50 values of 217.78 and 83.55 μg/mL, respectively. Further, both extracts provided moderate anti-arthritic effects (IC50: 80.12 and 63.09 µg/mL, respectively) using protein denaturation test, compared to diclofenac sodium (IC50 = 15.12 µg/mL).