Photochemical analysis of schinis molle L. essential oil and inverstigation of its antiamnesic effectiveness

Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) is a evergreen tree, also known locally as false pepper, pink pepper, American pepper, Peruvian pepper, Brazilian pepper, California pepper or molle de Peru. This plant, which is mostly found in the Izmir region in our country, is also used among the people. In this thesis, the compositions of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the fruits of Schinus molle L. plant were determined by GC-FID and GC/MS systems. The essential oil obtained with a yield of 4,5%, the main components α-phellandrene (50,8%), β-phellandrene (14,6%), limonene (15,7%), β-myrcene (11%), α-pinene (4,7%) and p-cymene (2,5%). Quantitative determinations of these compounds were also carried out. Based on the cognitive enhancer potential of aromatherapy practice, the potential anti-amnesic activity of S. molle essential oil was investigated in this thesis. Eperimental amnesia model was induced using scopolamine and learning and memory performances of rats were investigated using Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. The effect of essential oil on the motor performance of the rats was evaluated by activity meter experiments. The findings revealed that scopolamine administrations impair learning and memory parameters of experimental animals and piracetam and essential oil (%1 and %3) treatments given for 14 days improved the impaired cognitive performance. On the other hand, activity meter tests indicated that the motor activities of the rats did not change, therefore the anamnesic effect of the essential oil was specific. In the thesis, it was revealed for the first time that S. molle essential oil has a potential for aromatherapeutic use in patients with cognitive impairment.