Antioxidant and anticholinergic properties of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae) essential oil in mice hippocampus.

This study evaluated anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant potentials in mice hippocampus treated with essential oils (EO) of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (orange) in vitro and in vivo. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was evaluated by using an adapted spectrophotometric method by Ellman after administration (30 consecutive days) in albino mice at doses of 50.00 mg/kg (EO 50), 100.00 mg/kg (EO 100) and 200.00 mg/kg (EO 200). The results showed that there was a significant decrease on enzymatic activity of AChE in mice hippocampus treated with essential oil of C. sinensis at doses of 50.00 mg/kg (vehicle= 9.89±0.19, OE 50= 2.63±0.21) [P <0.05], 100.00 mg/kg (vehicle= 9.89±0.19, EO 100= 1.65±0.15) [P <0.05] and 200.00 mg/kg (vehicle= 9.89±0.19, EO 200= 2.38±0.12) [P <0.05] when compared with vehicle group (0.05% Tween 80 dissolved in saline 0.9%). Concerning antioxidant activity, there was a significant reduction (P <0.05) of 20% on lipid peroxidation level in mice hippocampus treated with a dose of 200.00 mg/kg. The results obtained from the current studies showed that the essential oil of C. sinensis has considerable antioxidant and activity and inhibitory effect on AChE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]