Essential oil from the leaves of Fissistigma balansae (A.DC.) Merr.: Chemical profile, antimicrobial and anticholinesterase activities

Abstract

Fissistigma balansae (A.DC.) Merr., a climbing shrub belonging to the Annonaceae family, is native to China and Vietnam. The present study provides the first information on the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and anticholinesterase activity of the essential oil from the leaves (LEO) of F. balansae from Vietnam. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the main components of the LEO were bicyclogermacrene (19.5%), germacrene D (15.8%), β-caryophyllene (14.7%), β-pinene (9.2%), α-pinene (8.9%), and δ-elemene (5.5%). The antimicrobial activity, as measured by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, showed that LEO exhibited effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 50 μg/mL), Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 100 μg/mL), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 200 μg/mL). Additionally, LEO exhibited antifungal activity with a MIC of 100 μg/mL against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, LEO displayed moderate activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 92.02 μg/mL and 127.23 μg/mL, respectively. These findings suggest that F. balansae LEO can be exploited for its antimicrobial and anticholinesterase potentials.