Biological Activities of Essential Oils from Monteverde, Costa Rica

Abstract

Essential oils from Calyptranthes pittieri (Lauraceae), Cinnamomum tonduzii (Lauraceae), Croton niveus and C. monteverdensis (Euphorbiaceae), Dendropanax arboreus (Araliaceae), Eugenia austin-smithii and E. haberi (Myrtaceae), Myrcianthes fragrans and M. rhopaloides (Myrtaceae), Nectandra membranacea (Lauraceae), Ocotea floribunda (Lauraceae), Oreopanax xalapensis (Araliaceae), Piper umbellatum (Piperaceae), Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Stauranthus perforatus (Rutaceae), Zanthoxylum acuminatum, Z. melanostictum, Z. monophyllum, and Zanthoxylum sp. nov. “brillante” (Rutaceae), have been screened for cytotoxic activity against a panel of human tumor cell lines, antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality.