Chemical composition and selective BuChE activity of the essential oil of Piper arboreum Aubl. from Ecuador

The aim of this study was to identify the chemical composition Piper arboreumAubl. essential oil (EO), and evaluate its inhibitory activity in vitroagainst enzymes butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) acetylcholinesterase (AChE). EO obtained by steam distillation leaves, which were collected Pindal canton Loja province southern Ecuador. analyzed using gas chromatography technique coupled a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS) flame ionization (GC-FID). A total 41 compounds identified, major components found limonene (31,46%), β-selinene (12,01%), (E)-caryophyllene (7,53%), bicyclogermacrene (6,72%), germacrene D (3,83%) β-elemene (3,63%). In vitro analyzes, showed high selective inhibition for BuChE with an IC50inhibition value 29,3±3,3 μg/mL. By contrast, not active against AChE enzyme (IC50was 100,1±15,2 μg/mL).