Chemical composition and antiviral activity of Venezuelan Pimenta racemosa essential oil and its major component (Eugenol) against Oropouche Virus

Composición química y actividad antiviral del aceite esencial de Pimenta racemosa venezolana y de su componente mayoritario (Eugenol) contra el virus Oropouche

Resumen

The chemical composition of the essential oil of Pimenta racemosa from one sample collected in Caracas, Venezuela, was determined by GC-MS. A high yield of leaf oil (1.5%) was obtained by steam distillation, yielding a volatile mixture rich in phenylpropanoids, with eugenol as the major compound. Twelve components were identified, the major ones being eugenol (78.04%), chavicol (10.05%), β-myrcene (5.67%), and linalool (2.30%). There is a growing interest in exploring the potential biological activities of essential oils. In this context, the essential oil (EO) of P. racemosa and its major compound, eugenol, were evaluated for antiviral activity against the Oropuche (OROV) virus. The results of the antiviral evaluation indicated modest, dose-dependent antiviral activity.