Abstract
With the increasing interest in obtaining biologically active compounds from natural sources, Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter (Asteraceae) came into our focus as a readily available and aromatic wild shrub widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. This work provides a phytochemical profile of D. viscosa in terms of parallel chemical composition in the lipophilic fraction (essential oil) and the water fraction (hydrosol). GC-MS analysis identified 1,8-cineole, caryophyllene oxide, α-terpenyl acetate, and α-muurolol as the major components of the essential oil, while in the hydrosol p-menth-1-en-9-ol, 1,8-cineole, linalool, cis-sabinene hydrate, and α-muurolol were the major volatile components. 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was found to be the predominant compound in the hydrosol composition by HPLC analysis. The antimicrobial potential of both extracts was evaluated against thirteen opportunistic pathogens associated with common skin and wound infections and emerging food spoilage microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil suggests that the volatiles of D. viscosa could be used as novel antimicrobial agents. The antiproliferative results of D. viscosa volatiles are also new findings, which showed promising activity against three cancer cell lines: HeLa (cervical cancer cell line), HCT116 (human colon cancer cell line), and U2OS (human osteosarcoma cell line). The decrease in GSH level observed in hydrosol-treated HeLa cells suggests oxidative stress as a possible mechanism of the antiproliferative effect of hydrosol on tumor cells. The presented results are also the first report of significant antiphytoviral activity of hydrosol against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection. Based on the results, D. viscosa might have the potential to be used in crop protection, as a natural disinfectant and natural anticancer agent.
Highlights
Plants are one of the most important sources of a variety of bioactive compounds that make them useful in daily life
The first objective of this work is to determine the phytochemical composition, especially since we have not found any data on the hydrosol composition of D. viscosa from other regions either
We investigated the antimicrobial potential of the essential oil and, for the first time, hydrosol of D. viscosa by targeting thirteen opportunistic pathogens associated with common skin and wound infections and emerging food spoilage microorganisms
Summary
Plants are one of the most important sources of a variety of bioactive compounds that make them useful in daily life. A large number of plant species have recently become the focus of phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Considering that only 1–10% of plant species have been studied chemically and pharmacologically for their potential medicinal value [1], it is clear that plants are an under-researched natural source of bioactive compounds. The study of their metabolites and biological effects will continue to be the focus of scientific interest with the aim of finding bioactive natural compounds and further development of alternative green and sustainable technologies that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances in everyday life. The Mediterranean climate favors the growth of a large number of plant species, many of which are aromatic plants used in folk medicine and nutrition.
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