Abstract
Purpose: To analyze the composition of essential oils of two types of mint as well as compare the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the two oils. Methods: Peppermint (M. piperita L.) and chocolate mint (M. piperita L.) oils were obtained by steam distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oils were determined by broth dilution method. The antioxidant activities of the oils were determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)DPPH radical scavenging assay, β-Carotene-linoleic acid assay, andnitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging assay. Results: The two essential oils contain high levels of alcohol (43.47-50.10%) and terpene (18.55-21.07%) with the major compound being menthol (28.19-30.35%). The antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) of peppermint oil against E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa (0.15, 0.08, 0.92 %v/v, respectively) was stronger than that of chocolate mint (0.23, 0.09, 1.22 %v/v, respectively). In the anti-oxidant test including DPPH and β-Carotenelinoleic acid assays, peppermint oil showed superior antioxidant properties to chocolate mint oil (4.45 - 19.86 μl/mL). However, with regard to scavenging NO radical activity, chocolate mint oil exhibited higher activity than peppermint (0.31 and 0.42 μl/mL, respectively). Chocolate mint oil also exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity than peppermint oil (0.03 and 0.08 μl/mL, respectively). Conclusion: The results obtained should help to clarify the functional applications of these folk herbs and their essential oils for aromatherapeutic healing and other folkloric uses.
Highlights
Essential oils are extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants that are natural concentrated aromatic hydrophobic liquid products obtained by steam distillation or solvent extraction [1,2]
We evaluated the major chemical compositions of the essential oils derived from the peppermint and chocolate mint by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
We found some other components of peppermint essential oil, including isomenthol, isopulegol, camphor
Summary
Essential oils are extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants that are natural concentrated aromatic hydrophobic liquid products obtained by steam distillation or solvent extraction [1,2]. They contain several chemical compounds exhibiting different biological properties and activities. Flavonoids, organic acids, quinones, such as for the digestive system, central nervous system, respiratory system [5, 6]. It was used in antimicrobial, antiinflammatory or anesthesia [7]. M. piperita is a hybrid of spearmint (M. spicata L.) and water mint (M. aquatica L.), it grows well in areas with high water-holding capacity soil [8]
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