Terpenoid diversity and antimicrobial activity of five Himalayan Senecio species

Abstract

The terpenoid composition of essential oils from the leaves of five Senecio species, viz., S. chrysanthemoides DC., S. rufinervis DC., S. graciliflorus DC., S. kunthianus and S. alatus Wall.ex DC., collected from the Indian Himalayan Region, was examined by GC, GC/MS, and NMR analysis. Comparison of the results with previous reports revealed new chemotype of S. chrysanthemoides and S. graciliflorus, whereas, S. kunthianus have been explored first time for their terpenoid composition. The analysis was carried out in order to discern the similarities and differences within the essential oil composition at their subspecies/chemotype level. Based on the major constituents of the essential oils, seven chemical groups were obtained. The antibacterial activity tests were also performed against five pathogenic bacteria and two fungi.