Activity Of Essential Oil Research Articles

Comparative Metabolic Profiling and Biological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Conocarpus Species: Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Potential

Essential oils (EOs) are a diverse source of bioactive compounds with remarkable therapeutic potential. Despite their significance, Conocarpus EOs have been largely underexplored. This study provides a novel comparison of the metabolic profiles and biological activities of EOs from C. lancifolius, C. erectus green, and C. erectus silver leaves cultivated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), offering unique insights into their distinct bioactive properties and potential therapeutic applications. EOs were extracted via hydro-distillation, analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and subjected to chemometric analysis. Their antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assays), antidiabetic (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and antimicrobial activities were assessed. A total of 92 metabolites were identified, with heptacosane and nonacosane as key species discriminants. C. lancifolius EO showed the strongest α-amylase (IC50 8.75 ± 0.54 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 22.31 ± 0.92 µg/mL) inhibitory activities, while C. erectus silver demonstrated superior antioxidant capacity (IC50 349.78 ± 8.26 µg/mL, DPPH assay). C. lancifolius EO exhibited the best antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 625 µg/mL). C. erectus silver EO inhibited E. coli and C. albicans (MIC 625 µg/mL). In contrast, C. erectus EOs showed no activity against Aspergillus niger. These findings highlight the potential of Conocarpus EOs as antioxidants and for managing diabetes that may be utilized either in nutraceuticals, dietary supplements or even in pharmaceutical formulations. Moreover, owing to significant antimicrobial activities, the EOs may be added to medical disinfectants and several pharmaceutical products. However, further, in vivo validation and pharmaceutical exploration is still needed.

Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Piper betle and Anethum graveolens essential oils against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of infection worldwide due to its antimicrobial resistance. Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) have undergone extensive observational and clinical research to explore their antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to check mec A positive MRSA isolates using sequencing analysis, determination of chemical composition using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of Anethum graveolens and Piper betle EOs against the infectious agent MRSA. The result demonstrates a significant antibacterial activity of both essential oils against MRSA clinical isolates. GC-MS analysis of Piper betle showed (41.06%) 3-Allyl-6-methoxyphenol (Eugenol) as the major compound, whereas Anethum graveolens exhibited o-cymene (14.01%) abundantly. Piper betle essential oil retained appreciable levels of total phenolic (39.5 ± 10.9mg/g of gallic acid equivalents) and flavonoid content (216 ± 145mg quercetin equivalent/g), when compared to Anethum graveolens essential oil. A strong correlation was observed between antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS), total phenolic, and total flavonoid content in the Piper betle and displayed using principal component analysis (PCA) and a scatter matrix plot. Parallelly, clear morphological bacterial alterations were visualized by scanning electron microscopy after treating it with essential oils. MRSA showed malformed cell surfaces or broken cells with pore formation and septae. These findings imply that both essential oils are potential natural sources of antimicrobials against the MRSA superbug. They can also be used in combination therapies with other plant EOs or with traditional antibiotics to combat the rise of bacteria resistance.

Essential Oils as Antimicrobials against Acinetobacter baumannii: Experimental and Literature Data to Definite Predictive Quantitative Composition-Activity Relationship Models Using Machine Learning Algorithms.

Essential oils (EOs) exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities; however, their clinical application is hindered by challenges, such as variability in chemical composition and chemical/physical instability. A critical limitation is the lack of chemical consistency across EO samples, which impedes standardization. Despite this, evidence suggests that EOs with differing chemical profiles often display similar (micro)biological activities, raising the possibility of standardizing EOs based on their biological effects rather than their chemical composition. This study explored the relationship between EO chemical composition and antibacterial activity against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. A dataset comprising 82 EOs with known minimal inhibitory concentration values was compiled using both experimental results and literature data sourced from the AI4EssOil database (https://www.ai4essoil.com). Machine learning classification algorithms including Support Vector Machines, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Decision Trees, and K-Nearest Neighbors were employed to generate quantitative composition-activity relationship models. Model performance was assessed using internal and external prediction accuracy metrics with the Matthews correlation coefficient as the primary evaluation metrics. Features importance analysis, based on the Skater methodology, identified key chemical components influencing EO activity. The single chemical components limonene, eucalyptol, alpha-pinene, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, nerol, beta-pinene, neral, and carvacrol were highlighted as critical to biological efficacy. The predictive capacity of the ML models was validated against a test set of freshly extracted and chemically characterized EOs. The models demonstrated a 91% prediction accuracy for new EO samples, and a strong correlation was observed between predicted features importance and experimental inhibitory values for six selected pure compounds (limonene, eucalyptol, alpha-pinene, linalool, carvacrol, and thymol). Additionally, the machine learning approach was extended to cytotoxicity data from 3T3-Swiss fibroblasts for 61 EOs. The analysis revealed the potential to design EOs with both high antibacterial activity and low cytotoxicity through blending or selective enrichment with identified key components. These findings pave the way for biologically standardized EOs, enabling their rational design and optimization for clinical applications.

Release Profile and Antibacterial Activity of Thymus sibthorpii Essential Oil-Incorporated, Optimally Stabilized Type I Collagen Hydrogels.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the drastically increasing major global health threats due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics as traditional antimicrobial agents, which render urgent the need for alternative and safer antimicrobial agents, such as essential oils (EOs). Although the strong antimicrobial activity of various EOs has already been studied and revealed, their characteristic high sensitivity and volatility drives the need towards a more efficient drug administration method via a biomaterial system. Herein, the potential of Thymus sibthorpii EO incorporated in functionalized antibacterial collagen hydrogels was investigated. At first, the optimally stabilized type I collagen hydrogels via six different multi-arm poly (ethylene glycol) succinimidyl glutarate (starPEG) crosslinkers were determined by assessing the free amine content and the resistance to enzymatic degradation. Subsequently, 0.5, 1, and 2% v/v of EO were incorporated into optimized collagen hydrogels, and the release profile, as well as release kinetics, were studied. Finally, biomaterial cytocompatibility tests were performed. Thymus sibthorpii EO was released from the hydrogel matrix via Fickian diffusion and showed sustained release and 0.5% v/v EO-loaded hydrogels showed adequate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and did not show any statistically significant difference compared to penicillin (p < 0.05). Moreover, none of the fabricated composite antibacterial scaffolds displayed any cytotoxicity on NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. In conclusion, this work presents an innovative antibacterial biomaterial system for tissue engineering applications, which could serve as a promising alternative to antibiotics, contributing to coping with the issue of antimicrobial resistance.

Essential oil and phenolic compounds in different organs and developmental stages of Monarda didyma L., and their biological activity.

Plant development has a greater impact on the chemical composition of inflorescences than of the leaves and stems of Monarda didyma plants. Monarda didyma L. is a well-known ornamental and aromatic plant. However, no studies are yet available concerning the diversity in the chemical composition of M. didyma organs during plant development that affect the final quality of the raw material. This study aimed to determine the content of phenolic compounds, essential oil (EO), and their composition in various organs affected by plant development. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of leaf and inflorescence EOs and the antioxidant activity of leaves, stems, and inflorescences were determined. EO content in the leaves and inflorescences collected during flowering was 2.39% and 3.64%, respectively. The main ingredients of the investigated EOs were p-cymene (17.11-35.56%) and carvacrol (5.39-28.19%). The EOs from the leaves and inflorescences collected during flowering inhibited the growth of six investigated microbial strains at the concentration range 0.313-1.250 µL × mL-1. Total phenolic and flavonoid content in leaves was higher than in inflorescences and stems. The leaves were found to be rich in didymin (average content 1283.63mg × 100g-1), while the inflorescences collected during flowering contained a significant amount of linarin (1247.47mg × 100g-1). The variability in the content and composition of EO and phenolic compounds depending on the stage of plant development was mainly observed in inflorescences. These findings contribute to better understanding of distribution and accumulation of biologically active compounds in M. didyma aerial organs, the potential of these organs as raw materials for medicinal, cosmetic and food applications, and the importance of the time of their harvesting.

Exploring Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for Enhanced Essential Oil Extraction: Current Insights and Applications.

Essential oils (EOs) are highly valued in the cosmetic and food industries for their diverse properties. However, traditional extraction methods often result in low yields, inconsistent compositions, lengthy extraction times, and the use of potentially harmful solvents. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) have emerged as promising alternatives, offering advantages such as higher efficiency, cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and tunable properties. This review explores the application of NADES in enhancing EO extraction, focusing on current methodologies, key insights, and practical applications. It examines the factors that influence EO extraction with NADES, including the optimization of their physicochemical properties, extraction techniques, operational conditions, and the role of sample pretreatment in improving efficiency. Additionally, this review covers the chemical characterization and biological activities of EOs extracted using NADES. By providing a comprehensive overview, it highlights the potential of NADES to improve EO extraction and suggests directions for future research in this field.

Chemical Profiling, Insecticidal and Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Rosmarinus officinalis and Ocimum sanctum Against Aphid, Mealy Bug and Diamondback Moth

ABSTRACTAphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Planococcus lilacinus Cockrell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) are key pests of agricultural and horticultural crops. Indiscriminate use of insecticides led to resistance, harmful to beneficial insects and environment. Essential oils (EOs) are plant‐derived secondary metabolites that can be used to combat insect pests. In this work, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of EOs were screened against target pests for identification of lead(s). GC and GC–mass spectra (MS) analysis of EOs revealed that ocimene (36.4%) in Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) and β‐caryophyllene (58.77%) in Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae) were major constituents. Combination of R. officinalis + O. sanctum (RO + OS) at 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3 ratios comprised eugenol (36.95%, 42.02% and 19.01%, respectively) as the main constituent. R. officinalis is most effective against A. craccivora and P. lilacinus (LD50 = 0.97 and 2.02 µL/insect, respectively) after 96 h. O. sanctum was more effective against P. xylostella (LD50 = 3.92 µL/insect). All the combinations of EOs displayed toxicity (LD50 = 0.11–0.14 µL/insect), synergistic activity for A. craccivora and P. lilacinus, whereas P. xylostella showed antagonistic activity. Further RO + OS at 1:3 and 3:1 ratios also displayed high toxicity to P. lilacinus (LD50 = 0.36–0.40 µL/insect) and P. xylostella (LD50 = 1.36–1.49 µL/insect). EO of R. officinalis showed repellent (RC50 = 2366.62 µL/L) against P. xylostella, deterrent activity of O. sanctum against A. craccivora (88%) and synergistic action against A. craccivora (Cotoxicity coefficient (CTC) = 640.67–1366.67) and P. lilacinus (CTC = 404–561.11). Both EOs showed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), CES1 and mixed‐function oxidase (MFO) in test insects. The EO of RO and OS alone or in combination may be recommended for the control of target pests based on field bio‐efficacy studies.

Antioxidant activity analysis of new interspecific hybrid germplasm thyme and oregano essential oils with different chemotypes

Thyme and oregano essential oils (EOs) and their components have numerous applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries owing to their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunological properties. We attempted to create new chemotypes through the hybridization of thyme and oregano for functional EO research and product development. Here, we used interspecific hybridization to create new thyme and oregano germplasms with new EO chemotypes. The antioxidant activities of these new chemotype EOs were verified by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP analyses. We determined that there are five types of thyme hybrid EOs: geraniol-type, carvacrol-type, thymol-type, parent polymerization-type, and α-terpineol/α-terpinyl acetate-type. Moreover, there are five types of oregano hybrid EOs: carvacrol-type, thymol-type, sabinene hydrate-type, parent polymerization-type, and carvacrol/sabinene hydrate-type. The geraniol, thymol, and carvacrol contents ranged from 30.45%, 1.21% and 0.00%, respectively, in the parents to 81.66%, 52.65%, and 46.16%, respectively, in the thyme hybrids. The carvacrol and thymol contents ranged from 2.33% to 24.18%, respectively, in the parents to 94.16% and 76.77%, respectively, in the oregano hybrids, indicating obvious heterosis. We further used three antioxidant assays, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, to analyse the antioxidant activity of thyme and oregano hybrid EO samples. The antioxidant capacities of carvacrol- and thymol-type EOs were significantly superior to those of other chemotypes. Our data suggest that carvacrol- and thymol-type EOs with greater antioxidant potential can be applied in many industries. In addition, the function of high geraniol-type thyme EO should be further researched. The results will also be very useful for the selection of new varieties, functional research on carvacrol-, thymol-, and geraniol-type essential oils, and product development of feed additives, cosmetics, etc.

Bioactive Properties of Pentacalia vaccinioides (Kunth) Cuatrec. (Asteraceae) Essential Oils: Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

Essential oils (EOs) have unique properties, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral activities, which are beneficial in various industries, including cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. In this study, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Pentacalia vaccinioides EOs obtained from leaves and flowers (fresh and dried plant material) were evaluated using hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD), simultaneous distillation–extraction (SDE), and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) techniques. Antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) and antioxidant capacity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50) were determined. The identification and quantification of the compounds present in the EOs were conducted by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main secondary metabolites identified in most samples obtained by different extraction techniques included phenol (~18%), 1S-α-pinene (~15%), β-phellandrene (~13%), β-pinene (~12%), 4-terpineol (~10%), γ-terpinene (~10%), trans-nerolidol (~8%), limonene (~8%), and β-thujene (~6%). EOs obtained by HD, SD, and SDE exhibited antioxidant activity, with IC50 values between 621.7 and 696.6 µg/mL. Additionally, the EOs demonstrated bactericidal activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values of 5.0 and 45 µg/mL, respectively. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not show antimicrobial susceptibility to EOs. This study constitutes the first evaluation of Pentacalia vaccinioides EOs, demonstrating their bioactive potential and the relevance of the extraction method. The findings highlight this species as a promising source of natural compounds for therapeutic and preservative applications, depending on the type of plant material and extraction technique used. Future research should investigate how microclimatic conditions and plant development affect the chemical composition and elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind the observed bioactivities to better understand their cellular actions. Furthermore, the evaluation of the applications of EOs and hydrolates in the pharmaceutical and food industries, along with the exploration of the bioactive potential of extraction-derived hydrolates, offers a promising avenue to maximize plant utility.

Alopecia Management Potential of Rosemary-Based Nanoemulgel Loaded with Metformin: Approach Combining Active Essential Oil and Repurposed Drug.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a multifactorial and age-related dermatological disease that affects both males and females, usually at older ages. Traditional hair repair drugs exemplified by minoxidil have limitations such as skin irritation and hypertrichosis.Thus, attention has been shifted to the use of repurposing drugs. Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug, that can promote hair follicle regeneration via upregulation of the hair-inductive capability. Hence, the current study aims to fabricate a safe and effective nanoemulsion to improve metformin efficacy in targeting AGA. Rosemary oil was selected as the oily phase due to its ability to increase blood flow and hair growth. Rosemary-based nanoemulsions were statistically optimized by Box-Behnken experimental design, loaded with metformin, and incorporated into a hydrogel to form a nanoemulgel. Metformin-loaded nanoemulsions were assessed for their diametric size, uniformity, zeta potential, and metformin characteristics within the formulated nanosystem. The nanoemulgel was then evaluated in terms of its pH, percentage drug content, and in-vitro release performance. In-vivo study assessed the nanoemulgel's ability to augment hair growth in rats. The experimental design displayed that using 50%w/w, 20%w/w, and 10%w/w of Cremophor®, Labrafil®, and deionized water, respectively, resulted in nanoemulsion formulation with the smallest globule size (125.01 ± 0.534 nm), unimodal size distribution (PDI=0.103), negative surface charge (-19.9 ± 2.01 mV) with a spherical morphological structure. Rosemary-based nanoemulgel displayed acceptable physicochemical characterizations namely; a neutral pH value of 6.7±0.15, high drug content (92.9± 2.3%), and controlled metformin in-vitro release. Besides, the formulated nanoemulgel significantly increased the number of hair follicles in the animal model compared with other controls and tested groups. The designed nanoemulgel is a promising approach for treating androgenic alopecia.

Impact of Polysorbate 80 on the Antimicrobial Activity of Oregano and Thyme

Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) possess significant antimicrobial potential against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. However, their efficacy can vary depending on the test method, making it difficult to standardise results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polysorbate 80, a common surfactant used to emulsify EOs, on antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations. The antimicrobial activity of oregano and thyme EOs was tested against 40 microorganisms with and without the presence of polysorbate 80. Antimicrobial activity was qualitatively assessed using the disc diffusion assay (DDA) and quantitatively via broth microdilution to determine MIC values. Both oregano and thyme EOs exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms in the DDA, regardless of the surfactant’s presence. However, MIC determinations revealed that higher EO concentrations were required to inhibit microbial growth when polysorbate 80 was included in the emulsification process. These findings indicate that polysorbate 80 influences antimicrobial test results by reducing EO efficacy while enhancing solution homogeneity and handling in aqueous media. The study highlights the critical role of emulsifiers in antimicrobial testing, as their use can significantly impact the interpretation of results and the perceived effectiveness of EOs in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and other applications.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Chinese Native Thyme Essential Oils with Different Chemotypes.

Thyme essential oils (EOs) have antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunological properties and are used in medicine, food, feed additives, and cosmetics. Here, we made use of a multidimensional analytical method to analyze the differences in the chemical components, chemotypes, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of EOs from 24 Chinese native thymes. These Chinese native thymes comprised 10 species (Thymus quinquecostatus, T. mongolicus, T. inaequalis, T. mandschuricus, T. curtus, T. amurensis, T. roseus, T. proximu, T. marschallianus, and T. altaicus) and two varieties (T. quinquecostatus var. asiaticus and T. quinquecostatus var. przewalskii). Four primary chemotype groups were identified, namely carvacrol, thymol, geraniol, and α-terpineol. The maximum carvacrol, thymol, geraniol, and α-terpineol contents were 72.4, 58.6, 59.5, and 65.4%, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of the thymol and carvacrol chemotype EOs were found to be significantly superior to the other chemotypes using three antioxidant assays: DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. Moreover, the thymol and carvacrol EO chemotypes could significantly inhibit the growths of the common food-borne pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. A correlation analysis between the EO components and the bacteria showed that thymol significantly positively correlated with the bacteria. In summary, we analyzed the thyme EOs' antioxidant and antibacterial activities, which laid a foundation for their use in medicines, foods, feed additives, and cosmetics. The results will also be very useful for the selection of wild thymes for functional research on carvacrol-, thymol-, geraniol-, and α-terpineol-rich essential oil chemotypes and the product development of feed additives, cosmetics, etc.

Taxonomic Composition of the Tragopogon L. Genus in Nakhchivan and Prospects for Using Species

The species included in the Tragopogon L. genus, common in the flora of Nakhchivan, have been studied. 12 species of the genus have been described. A systematic analysis has been performed, and an ecological characteristic of the species has been given. For all the described species, a practical analysis of the possibility of using them in medicine, agriculture, etc., has been presented. The applied value is diverse—these are medicinal plants with a large number of biologically active substances (alkaloids, glycosides, organic acids, vitamins, saponins, tannins, phytoncides, mineral elements, etc.), spicy-aromatic, essential oil, food, fodder, and weed, as well as promising species for introduction into culture in the region.

OLEJEK TYMIANKOWY W ZASTOSOWANIACH LECZNICZYCH I KOSMETYCZNYCH (SKŁADNIKI CHEMICZNE I AKTYWNOŚĆ BIOLOGICZNA)

Essential oils - aromatic plant substances with strong biological activity - are increasingly used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic production. An example of an extremely active essential oil is thyme essential oil, obtained by steam distillation of thyme herb. Thyme oil has proven antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. It is also characterized by strong antioxidant activity, as well as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and repellent properties. The biological activity of thyme oil and its possible applications depend on the origin of the raw material and the extraction method. Thymol and carvacrol are mentioned as the most active compounds of thyme oil, although other ingredients are also mentioned. The intended therapeutic effects can be achieved by using pure, natural oil and proper application. In cosmetic production, thyme oil can act as an active ingredient of the product and/or a natural preservative that extends its shelf life.

Plant Species with Antimicrobial Effects and the Importance of a Standardization of Protocols for Antimicrobial Agents

In modern times, microbial resistance is a global threat to health and development. The misuse and inappropriate use of antimicrobials is the main cause of developing drugresistant pathogens. It requires multiple areas in direction to attain sustainable advance goals. As a result of microbial resistance, the necessity for costly medications and expenses are obstructed worldwide. Due to rising attention in the research of new antimicrobial medicaments from a variety of natural or synthetic sources to fight microbial resistance. Thus, natural antimicrobial agents have been used to a great extent nowadays because plant-derived antimicrobial agents are considered to be safer alternatives for health as compared to those synthetic antimicrobial agents. Overall, the active ingredients, water, essential oils, and ethanolic extracts from selected plants and the mixture of a variety of these natural extracts have been used for centuries, because they possess antimicrobial activity which inhibits the growth of microbes. Natural plants as an antimicrobial agent, like extracts of Curcuma longa L., Piper nigrum L., Vachellia leucophloea, Eclipta prostrata, Ocimum sanctum L., Terminalia arjuna, Manihot esculenta Crantz, Lawsonia inermis L., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Coriandrum sativum L., Carica papaya L., Cinnamomum tamala, and many others have been preferred and used for ages because they are easily available worldwide. They are usually of low cost and have little or no side effects. Several antimicrobial screening approaches like the disk-diffusion method, well diffusion method, micro broth dilution assay, sterile disk method, and agar diffusion method are generally cast off for measurement of reproducibility and standardization of these antimicrobial agents. This review article is a comprehensive description of natural plants like Coriandrum sativum L., Carica papaya L., Cinnamomum tamala, etc., containing those extracts used as antimicrobial agents listed, and numerous in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods are reported. These identified plant species and antimicrobial screening techniques hold the potential for formulating these plants into antimicrobial drugs, warranting further study and exploration in the field of medicine.

Essential Oils as Dermocosmetic Agents, Their Mechanism of Action and Nanolipidic Formulations for Maximized Skincare

Essential oils (EOs) are known for their diverse bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, skin-barrier repairing and anticancer, and therefore, hold profound potential to be used in cosmetic and skincare products. Owing to these properties, EOs have long been utilized to address a range of dermatological issues, from acne and inflammation to aging and dryness. However, problems associated with EOs beset their practical applications, which include high volatility, oxidation, hydrophobic nature, low bioavailability, skin irritation, chemical transformation and poor stability in air and light. A prospective of nanolipidic formulations, including the nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) system for improved skin delivery of these EOs highlights the possibility of their use in topical applications, which offer several advantages such as improved bioavailability and stability, lower toxicity and higher drug content. These nanoformulations protect the EOs from environmental degradation and improve their penetration into deeper skin layers, leading to prolonged therapeutic benefits. The delivery of bioactive agents using a conventional topical preparation exhibits low penetration, frequent applications, poor adherence and prolonged therapy duration, whereas the novel delivery system exhibits improved stability of the drug, enhanced skin penetration, enhanced retention and better therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive compendium of information on EOs, which are widely used in skincare, along with their nanolipidic formulations for maximized skincare uses. The mechanism of action of EOs as skin bioactive agents, challenges associated with their use, advances in nanolipidic formulations and their market value as cosmetic skincare products are also explored.

Essential Oils from Papaver rhoeas and Their Metabolomic Profiling.

Background/Objectives: Essential oils (EOs) have been exploited by humans for centuries, but many sources remain poorly investigated, mainly due to the low yields associated with conventional extraction. Recently, new techniques have been developed, like solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME), able to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The use of Papaver rhoeas L. in traditional medicine has led researchers to investigate non-volatile fractions, but there are little data available on EOs. Methods: In the present work, we prepared EOs from the petals and leaves of P. rhoeas by SFME. GC/MS analysis of EOs revealed the presence of 106 compounds belonging to 13 different classes. Isomers of the different alkenes were identified thanks to an alkylthiolation reaction. Results: The results highlighted a predominance of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, alcohols, and esters that might suggest a specific relationship with pollinators. Each population has been compared using PCA, heatmap, and barplot tools, highlighting differences in terms of composition by both comparing leaves and flowers and hill and lowland samples. Furthermore, cantharidin, a metabolite usually produced by insects, was detected in the flowers, possible present for attractiveness purposes. Conclusions: These results could contribute to ensuring a better understanding of the pollination process and of the biological activities of EOs from P. rhoeas.

Development of an Ointment to Medicate Medicine for Dosage Caused by Mucus in Babies with the Active Compound Sotong (Sepia sp.) and Essential Oils Cymbopogon citratus

Sumbawa society is rich in culture, especially in traditional medicine. People use materials from the surrounding environment, including plants and animals, as active ingredients for medicine. Newborn babies and toddlers are susceptible to blockage of the respiratory tract with mucus. In babies, it is usually caused by an imperfect suction process, while in toddlers, it is caused by bacteria or viruses. The Samawa people use a mixture of cuttlefish (Sepia sp.) and eucalyptus oil as a medicine that effectively removes mucus from the body. The active ingredient in cuttlefish has an unpleasant odour and cannot be stored for long. When they need cuttlefish, people must look for them in markets or traders on the coast. Of course, this takes time to use. The ointment production innovation has many advantages, including practicality, no fishy smell, ease of obtaining, and ease of storage for the long term. Using the natural active ingredient lemongrass, essential oil adds aromatherapy and provides warmth to the chests of babies and toddlers. Natural active and gel-based ingredients are safe to use without side effects. The ointment was tested for active ingredient content using GCMS and organoleptic tests for gel stability, spreadability (homogeneity), pH, and skin irritation. Based on the description above, it can be concluded that the ointment product is made from an anti-skin irritation gel base, pH 7, and gel spreadability of 5.5 cm. The active substance comes from cuttlefish Sepia sp. by inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme and reducing the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an essential inflammatory mediator in the pathogenesis of asthma and bronchitis. The simple production process means that the price of the ointment is within people's purchasing power.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Asphodelus microcarpus Salzm. & Viv. growing wild at different sites in Morocco: ADME-Tox, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations

ABSTRACT This study investigates the chemical variability and antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Asphodelus microcarpus Salzm. & Viv. flowers, collected from five Moroccan regions. Analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed EO yields ranging from 0.01% to 0.12%. One hundred forty-four compounds, comprising 90.24–97.31% of the total content, were identified. A new chemotype, trans-Ferruginol (58.33%), was identified in the Meknes region. This is the first study to assess the antibacterial activity of EOs from these flowers, showing significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli, with MICs between 0.78 and 25 mg. mL−1. Theoretical studies, including ADME-Tox, molecular docking and dynamics, indicated that trans-Ferruginol is non-toxic and strongly interacts with antimicrobial target proteins. The findings suggest that these EOs could serve as an alternative to antibiotics, potentially mitigating bacterial resistance.

Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt in Combination with Carvacrol

The continuous increase of antibiotic resistance and the lag in development of novel antibiotics are two important challenges in treatment of infectious diseases. Essential oils (EOs) and their combinations are promising alternatives for treatment of bacterial infections. Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt EO, recognized by the European Medicines Agency for its sleep-enhancing and anxiety-relieving properties, also possesses sedative qualities, as noted in the German Commission E monograph, and aids in treating sleep disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate antibacterial activities of the C.winterianus EO and carvacrol combination. Commercial C. winterianus EO and carvacrol were tested for antibacterial activity against the American Type Culture Collection quality control strains Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae using the broth microdilution method. Ciprofloxacin served as the standard antimicrobial agent. Checkerboard assay was used to evaluate the combined effects of C. winterianus EO and carvacrol. The results showed that C. winterianus EO exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The interaction between C. winterianus EO and carvacrol was additive against all tested bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration of carvacrol decreased by 2- to 8-fold when the carvacrol combined with C. winterianus EO, and carvacrol also enhanced the antibacterial activity of EO by 2- to 16-fold.