Cytotoxic activity and essential oil composition of leaves and berries of Juniperus excelsa

Abstract

The composition of the water-distilled essential oils of the berries and leaves of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). The main components in the berries of J. excelsa, accounting for 56.1% of the oil, were determined as alpha-pinene (34.0%), cedrol (12.3%), L-verbenol (5.4%), and D-verbenol (4.4%) while in the leaves of J. excelsa, accounting for 63.2% of the oil, were found to be alpha-pinen (29.7%), cedrol (25.3%), alpha-muurolene (4.4%), and 3-carene (3.8%). Cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential of the berries and leaves of J. excelsa were investigated.