Essential Oil Components Research Articles

Comparative mosquitocidal and repellence activities of essential oil, nanoemulsion and main terpenes of Deverra tortuosa against Aedes albopictus with insights into the non-target effects

There is an urgent and renewed interest in searching for effective and green pesticides to control mosquitoes. In this framework, the essential oil (EO) of the plant Deverra tortuosa was hydrodistilled, and analysed using gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dillapiole (40.2%), elemicin (8.1%), and myristicin (6.3%), phenylpropanoids, and sabinene (4.3%) a common monoterpene, were found to be the major EO components. The oil nanoemulsion (ONE) was developed adopting a green protocol, and then characterised. The EO, ONE, and terpenes, particularly the phenylpropanoids possessed considerable mosquitocidal bioactivity against the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus. A percentage of 100% larval mortality was recorded when insects were treated with a concentration of 40 μL/mL of ONE after 24 hours of treatment, while double of this concentration from EO and dillapiole was required to achieve the same activity. The LC50’s against larvae ranged between 7.6 and 60.7 μL/mL. For adults, LC50’s ranged between 6.4 and 50.9 μL/L. At sub-lethal concentrations (0.625-5.0 μL/cm2), EO materials significantly repelled Ae. albopictus, where a concentration of 5.0 μL/cm2 of EO and ONE provided 100% protection for up to180 min. As a proposed mechanism of action, the EO materials considerably inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The test materials were safe for the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, a common larvivorous fish, and Eisenia fetida earthworm. Test materials were also safe for the white albino rat in an oral bioassay at a limit dosage of 3500 mg/kg b.wt. The findings support the use of the EO, nanoemulsion, and phenylpropanoids of D. tortuosa as environmentally benign natural mosquitocodes to control Ae. albopictus.

Unravelling the interaction of ethyl cinnamate in 2-hydroxypropyl and methyl-β-cyclodextrin by spectroscopic and theoretical evaluation for enhanced antibacterial activities

Essential oil components are the most common agents used to inhibit pathogens. Ethyl cinnamate (ECIN) is a hydrophobic essential oil component with well-known antibacterial properties but is poorly soluble in water, which limits its applications. In this study, inclusion complexes (ICs) were prepared by encapsulating ECIN in β-cyclodextrin (βCD), 2-hydroxypropyl-βCD, or methyl-βCD using an ultrasonication method to enhance water solubility and thermal and antibacterial properties. UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectral results indicated strong non-covalent interactions between ECIN and βCD derivatives in aqueous solution, and double reciprocal profiles revealed a guest:host stoichiometry of 1:1. Fourier-transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy investigations revealed that the phenyl ring of ECIN is located deeply in the CD nanocavities. X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and field emission scanning electron microscopy were performed to obtain crystalline, optical, and morphological information on solid ECIN-CDs. Thermogravimetric/differential thermal studies confirmed the improved stability of ECIN in solid CD-ICs by detecting an increase in the degradation temperature of ECIN from 50–140 °C to 310–410 °C. Further, the geometrical and frontier molecular orbital structures of the ECIN-CDs were theoretically evaluated using parametric method-3. Finally, antibacterial assays conducted against the foodborne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli revealed that encapsulated ECIN had a greater inhibitory effect, which suggested the devised nanocarriers promote the solubilization of essential oil components in aqueous solutions.

Variations in volatile components and biological activities of essential oils from Citrus aurantium ‘changshanhuyou’ at different growth and ripening stages

Citrus aurantium ’Changshanhuyou’ is one kind of fruit that is beneficial to human health. Most research focus on active substances such as flavonoids and limonoids, but few on the essential oils from its peels. This study analyzed the volatile components of Huyou peel essential oil (HYEO) throughout the growth and ripening stages including beginning, middle, end of growth period, and post- ripening stage (60 days of storage) by GC–MS. The results identified approximately 70 components in HYEO, and the level of oxygenated monoterpenes decreased while sesquiterpenes increased with the ripening of the huyou. The essential oil after 60 days of storage showed outstanding antioxidant properties (DPPH, IC50 = 101.77 ± 0.83 mg/mL; ABTS, IC50 = 18.11 ± 0.74 mg/mL), antibacterial (zones of inhibition: E. coli, 28.18 ± 1.37 mm; S. aureus, 20.40 ± 0.84 mm; S. Typhimurium, 27.17 ± 1.14 mm; L. monocytogenes, 22.83 ± 1.27 mm) and antidiabetic (IC50 = 5.26 ± 0.58 mg/mL) activities due to high levels of p-cymenene, cis-carveol, and D-carvone detected. Results from the corticosterone-damaged mouse neuronal cell model, the essential oil extracted from the middle of the growth period demonstrates the best antidepressant activity due to high content of citronellol, elemene, linalool, and citronel detected. Overall, this study provides a valuable reference for exploiting and evaluating essential oils from Huyou peels with multifunctions in food and medicine industry.

A novel strategy for obtaining essential oil and flavonoids from Thymus vulgaris L. using polyethylene glycol-ultrasonic pretreatment followed by microwave hydrodistillation and extraction

As a medicinal plant with high economic value, the green and efficient separation of the main components (essential oil (EO) and flavonoids) from Thymus vulgaris L. can enhance its application prospects. The present study developed a polyethylene glycol-ultrasonic pretreatment followed by microwave hydrodistillation and extraction (PEG-U-MHDE) technique to distill EO and extract flavonoids simultaneously. The parameters involved in the PEG-ultrasonic pretreatment and microwave irradiation processes were investigated using single factor and BBD experiments, from which 25 % PEG200/400/600 (1:1:1, v/v/v) was found to have the highest extraction ability. Under the optimal conditions, the yield of EO, apigenin, and baicalein was 3.72 ± 0.15 μL/g, 0.76 ± 0.03 mg/g, and 0.96 ± 0.03 mg/g, respectively. The PEG-U-MHDE showed good stability, recovery, and repeatability for apigenin and baicalein. In addition, the separation efficiency of EO, apigenin, and baicalein obtained by PEG-U-MHDE was 0.19 μL/g/min, 37.85 μg/g/min, and 48.03 μg/g/min, respectively, and the EO contained 81.77 % oxygenated compounds, which were higher than other reference methods. The inhibition rate of EO (concentration of 0.5 μL/mL) against the agricultural pathogenic fungus (Fusarium graminearum) was 36.65 ± 1.28 %, which was speculated to be closely related to its main oxygenated compounds (thymol and carvacrol). In general, PEG-U-MHDE has the advantages of short time and high efficiency, and can realize the simultaneous separation of volatile EO and non-volatile components, which provides a theoretical basis for the comprehensive utilization of natural medicinal plants and crops.

RNA sequencing analysis uncovers the role of aldehyde oxidase TcAOX2 in regulating toxic substance susceptibility in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Aldehyde oxidase (AOX) is a class of metabolic enzymes, which can make T. castaneum resistant to aldehyde insecticides and thus increase the difficulty of control. In this study, we first examined the killing effect of benzaldehyde, one of the main active components of mugwort essential oil, to T. castaneum and demonstrated the involvement of TcAOX2 in regulating the sensitivity of T. castaneum to benzaldehyde. Subsequently, we identified a total of 105 differentially expressed genes relative to controls by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of T. castaneum late larvae injected with dsTcAOX2, including 67 up-regulated and 38 down-regulated expressed genes. Analysis and functional annotation of differentially expressed genes using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The results showed that the expression of apolipoprotein D, carboxypeptidase A, serine protease P40, pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase, and other genes related to immunity and metabolism, their expression also decreased with the decrease of TcAOX2 expression. The down-regulation of the expression of these genes may make T. castaneum less immune and less able to cope with stressful environments. This suggests that changes in TcAOX2 gene expression may affect the expression of these metabolism- or immunity-related genes, which in turn affects T. castaneum sensitivity to external toxicants. In conclusion, our results provide a theoretical basis for exploring the detoxification mechanism of aldehyde oxidase in T. castaneum and for screening target genes in response to external stimuli.

Low‐Density Polyethylene Films Containing Cellulose‐Encapsulated Thymol With Prolonged Anti‐Mold Activity and Its Potential in Hay Preservation

ABSTRACTThe use of many pesticides in agricultural crop protection has been banned due to their harmful effects on health and the environment, leaving farmers with limited crop protection options. A natural nontoxic alternative is thymol (TY), the main component in thyme essential oil (EO), which is known to have pesticidal and anti‐mold properties. TY can be incorporated into plastic films, widely used in agricultural applications. However, its volatility and susceptibility to heat limits its use in polymeric systems. By encapsulating TY using natural biopolymer such as cellulose, TY can be protected during high‐temperature plastic processing, thus enabling to achieve an active plastic packaging. In this study, cellulose‐encapsulated TY was melt‐compounded with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and 100 μm‐thick films were fabricated and compared with similar compounds containing free TY. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of TY‐loaded particles and demonstrated that they had no significant effects on the LDPE matrix morphology. LDPE films containing encapsulated TY offered higher anti‐mold protection functionality to postharvest alfalfa plants, in comparison to films containing free TY. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy supported by thermo gravimetric analysis further confirmed successful incorporation of TY‐loaded particles in the LDPE films. Taken together, the application range of EOs and their synthetic compounds such as TY, can be broadened by encapsulation with cellulose. Incorporation of cellulose‐encapsulated TY in plastic composites can serve as a useful natural alternative to toxic pesticides in agricultural applications.

The influence of soil properties on essential oil components of Hypericum perforatum L. growing in Turkey

Hypericum perforatum L. is a medicinally and commercially important plant with a long history of traditional use. It is used for conditions such as depression, wound healing, ulcers, and the common cold. The medicinal properties of H. perforatum are primarily attributed to its essential oil (EO). Various soil conditions, such as pH, soil texture (sand, silt, and clay content), nutrient content (potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese), and organic matter, can influence the composition and concentration of EO in plants. In this study, these conditions were investigated aiming to understand the influence of soil’s physical and chemical properties on the EOs extracted from H. perforatum collected from various localities. Dried aerial parts of H. perforatum from 20 different locations in Eskişehir, Turkey, were hydrodistilled using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The EO components were analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS systems. Soil samples were collected from the same 20 local habitats and subjected to physical and chemical analyses. The results were then correlated with the main EO components. GC-MS results identified 119 compounds, representing 71-96.6% of the volatiles in all samples. The findings revealed that specific soil parameters, including Mg, Ca, dust, lime, clay, and pH, had a significant impact on the yield and chemical composition of H. perforatum EO, particularly affecting the levels of α-pinene, caryophyllene oxide, 1-dodecanol, and 1-tetradecanol. Further research is needed to fine-tune these soil parameters in conjunction with other ecological factors to maximize the qualitative and quantitative yield of EO from H. perforatum.

Exploring Teucrium aureo-candidum Essential Oil as a Promising Alternative to Triclosan for Targeting Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase: Chemical Composition, Antibacterial Activity, and Molecular Docking Study.

The chemical composition of the essential oil isolated from the aerial parts of Teucrium aureo-candidum, an endemic aromatic shrub collected from Moghrar and Djeniene Bourezg in the Nâama region (Algeria), was determined for the first time using GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of 45 constituents were identified, representing 87.73% of the oil. Characterized by unique chemical variability, it was primarily composed of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (29.53%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (30.06%), with the major compounds being γ-cadinene (5.24%), δ-cadinene (4.24%), α-muurolene (4.04%), τ-muurolol (11.35%), and α-cadinol (3.30%). However, monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes accounted for 23.98% and 1.64%, respectively, contributing to a relatively low fraction. The essential oil demonstrated notable antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. Due to safety concerns associated with triclosan, a known inhibitor of the Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase (FabI) enzyme, the essential oil components from this plant were explored as alternatives through a combination of experimental approaches and in silico molecular docking studies. The results revealed that α-cadinol, spathulenol, caryophyllene, and α-muurolene exhibited strong FabI inhibition, with better bioavailability and lower toxicity than triclosan, highlighting their potential in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Pine Needle of Pinus koraiensis (Siebold & Zucc) Essential Oil Through Liquid Nitrogen Quick-Freezing Assisted Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction Process for Antibacterial Application.

This study investigates the composition and antibacterial properties of essential oil extracted from Pinus koraiensis (Siebold & Zucc) pine needles using a liquid nitrogen freezing treatment combined with solvent-free microwave extraction (LNSFM). The aim is to develop a low-energy, high-efficiency extraction method for conifer essential oils, analyze their chemical composition, and evaluate their antibacterial efficacy. Pine needle samples were frozen with liquid nitrogen and subsequently crushed. The essential oil was extracted using solvent-free microwave technology. A single-factor test and response surface methodology were employed to optimize extraction parameters. The extraction efficiency of LNSFM was compared with traditional methods through kinetics, and the essential oil components were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity of the extracted volatile oil was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. LNSFM proves to be a green and efficient extraction method suitable for obtaining volatile oils from pine needles, which demonstrate significant antibacterial properties.

Biological Activity of Essential Oil from Two Aromatic Species on the in vitro Control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc.

Objective: Essential oils (EO) from aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) are considered a viable alternative for controlling phytopathogenic fungi of agronomic importance. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and rue (Ruta graveolens L.) essential oils against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. Design/Methodology/Approach: The antifungal activity was assessed using the agar disk diffusion method, with concentrations ranging from 10% to 100% of each EO. The phytochemical composition was analyzed using GC-MS. Morphological observations were conducted with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: Significant antifungal activity was observed at concentrations of 50-100% of thyme EO. Rue EO exhibited a fungistatic effect for up to six days. Phytochemical analysis identified carvacrol (35.95%) and p-cymene (41.18%) as the major components in thyme EO, and 2-nonanone (24.24%) and 2-undecanone (68.69%) in rue EO. Findings/conclusions: The evaluated EOs significantly impacted fungal morphology at 60% concentration. The strong antifungal activity of thyme EO against C. gloeosporioides suggests its potential as an eco-friendly control alternative.

DDDR-03. DEVELOPMENT OF ANTI-TUMOR AROMA THERAPY FOR GLIOBLASTOMA WITH LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL

Abstract INTRODUCTION Aroma essential oils apply to cancer therapy because of their immune-enhancing and sedative effects, and their ability to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Recently, aroma essential oils have also been reported to have anti-tumor effects. We investigate the anti-tumor effects of aromatic compounds contained in essential oils as a novel treatment for glioblastoma. In this study, we analyzed the antitumor effect of lemongrass essential oil and investigated its antitumor aroma therapy for glioblastoma. methods and RESULTS Human glioblastoma cells (U87, T98G) and mouse brain tumor cells (RSV-M) were used in the study. Tumor cells were cultured in the presence of lemongrass essential oil for 72 hours, and the growth inhibitory effect was observed, suggesting that the evaporated lemongrass essential oil components acted on tumor cells in the vicinity. In addition, a similar effect was observed with citral alone, which is the main component of lemongrass. Analysis of the effects of citral revealed that citral strongly binds to MARK4 and inhibits its enzyme activity, and that citral decreases the phosphorylation of tau protein. Next, a mouse brain tumor model with RSV-M was established, and the anti-tumor effect of lemongrass essential oil was studied. The results showed that the mice that inhaled lemongrass essential oil for 12 h/day had a significantly prolonged survival period compared to the control group. DISCUSSION Citral is the main component of lemongrass essential oil, which contains 70-80% of lemongrass essential oil. This study suggests a mechanism of inhibition of tumor cell proliferation by citral in malignant gliomas. Citral is a volatile monoterpene, and its anti-tumor effect was demonstrated by diffusion through evaporation. CONCLUSION Citral in lemongrass essential oil shows anti-tumor effects and is expected to be applied to a new glioblastoma therapy using “aroma”

Exploring the mechanism of action of huoermai essential oil for plateau insomnia based on the camp/CREB/BDNF/gabaergic pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe traditional Huoermai therapy is a treatment for insomnia used by the Tibetan people living on the Tibetan plateau in China. This therapy involves the use of Myristica fragrans Houtt. and Carum carvi L., along with fomentation and massage, and has shown significant clinical effects. However, the mechanism of how Huoermai therapy treats plateau insomnia needs further clarification. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of Huoermai essential oil (HEO) in treating plateau insomnia, focusing on the cAMP/CREB/BDNF/GABAergic pathway. MethodsThe major components of Huoermai essential oil were identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for subsequent network pharmacology analysis. Proteomics techniques were employed to pinpoint disparities in brain tissue protein expression in a mouse model of plateau insomnia following Huoermai therapy administration, in conjunction with network pharmacology to forecast pathways related to hypoxia and insomnia. Plateau insomnia mouse model was established and the therapeutic impact of Huoermai essential oil was evaluated. Hematoxylin & Eosin staining(HE) was conducted to observe pathological damage to the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus structures. Changes in serotonin (5-HT), melatonin (MT), adenosine (AD), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in mouse brain tissue were gauged through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess sleep status and oxidative stress levels in mice. Molecular docking was employed to anticipate the target binding energy of Huoermai essential oil constituents. ELISA and Western Blot (WB) were used to ascertain the expression of cAMP/CREB/BDNF/GABAergic pathway. ResultsThe results indicated that HEO positively impacted intermittent hypobaric hypoxia-induced plateau insomnia in mice. Histological examination results showed that HEO ameliorated neuronal damage in specific regions of the brain affected by plateau insomnia, such as the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. Through GC-MS analysis, 56 volatile oil components were identified. Subsequently, a combined network pharmacology and proteomics analyses led to selecting the cAMP/CREB/BDNF/GABAergic pathway for further study. ELISA experiments demonstrated that HEO treatment increased GABA and MT levels while significantly reducing 5-HT and adenosine levels in brain tissue of mice with plateau insomnia. WB results revealed that HEO ameliorated plateau insomnia by suppressing the hyperactivation of the cAMP pathway, increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) expression, and alleviating hypoxia-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, molecular docking results showed strong binding affinity of all pharmacological components to their targets and proteins in the brain. ConclusionThese results indicate that HEO significantly prolongs sleep duration in plateau insomniac mice and treats plateau insomnia by modulating levels of sleep-related regulators, modulating the cAMP pathway, increasing GABA receptor expression, and improving neuronal survival and anti-apoptosis.

Pro-aromatic Natural Terpenes as Unusual "Slingshot" Antioxidants with Promising Ferroptosis Inhibition Activity.

Ferroptosis is a cell death mechanism based on extensive cellular membrane peroxidation, implicated in neurodegenerative and other diseases. The essential oil component γ-terpinene, a natural monoterpene with a unique highly oxidizable pro-aromatic 1,4-cyclohexadiene skeleton, inhibits peroxidation of polyunsaturated lipid in model heterogeneous systems (micelles and liposomes). Upon H-atom abstraction, an unstable γ-terpinene-derived peroxyl radical is formed, that aromatizes to p-cymene generating HOO⋅ radicals. As HOO⋅ are small and hydrophilic radicals, they quickly diffuse outside the lipid core, blocking the radical chain propagation of polyunsaturated lipids. This unprecedented antioxidant "slingshot" mechanism explains why γ-terpinene shows a protective activity against ferroptosis, being effective at submicromolar concentrations in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells.

“Deterioration” and “aging” can modify or breakdown the phytochemical and biochemical characteristics of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), although their effects differ

Deterioration of medicinal plant and herb's spices seeds has two important aspects; its impact on viability and its influence on food and medicine feedstock. So, in this study was investigated of phytochemical and biochemical composition of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) were evaluated under natural seed storage (NSS) for one and two years and accelerated seed aging process (ASA) for 24, 48, 72 and 96h. Oil percent declined by prolonging ageing duration. The highest amount was measured in control (21.60 %) and the lowest amounts in 2Y NSS (17.83 %) and 96h ASA (15.83 %). There was no significant difference among all treatments in unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) terms, yet percent of saturated fatty acids (SFA) rose by severe ageing condition. Among fatty acids, NSS had a strong correlation with oleic acid (C18:1) (R2 = 0.99 %), while ASA was correlation with stearic acid (C18:0) (R2 = 84 %). Total phenolic content, and under severe ageing were found in cumin. In the oil and essential oil (EO), DPPH showed an ascending trend in NSS treatments and a descending trend in ASA treatments. Additionally, the maximum IC50 was observed in the oil treatment, being approximately 8.6 times higher than that of the EO. 85 %–90 % of the EO compounds present in all treatments consisted of Myrcene, p-Cymene, Cumin aldehyde, and γ-Terpinene-7-al. NSS led to a significant increase in Cumin aldehyde (R2 = 0.99), indicating that enhancing the aroma of green cumin is subject to a period of cumin fruit storage. Finally, it is concluded that ASA can simulate NSS induced changes in oil content, EO components and antioxidant capacity.

A Spray-Dried Self-Stabilizing Nanocrystal Emulsion of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Preparation, Characterization and ex vivo Intestinal Absorption

AbstractSalvia miltiorrhizae (Danshen, the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.) and Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong, the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) are two traditional Chinese medicines that have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, formulation development is difficult due to the complexity of the active ingredients, particularly the water-insoluble tanshinones and volatile oil of Chuanxiong rhizome, which cannot be absorbed via oral administration in conventional dosage forms. This study aimed to develop a self-stabilized nanocrystal emulsion co-loading the water-soluble, insoluble, and volatile active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhizae and Chuanxiong rhizome to improve the bioavailability of the drugs. In this work, a high-pressure homogenization method was used to prepare a self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion. The emulsion was then spray-dried using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. The dispersibility and storage stability of the spray-dried emulsion, the particle size and morphology of the emulsion droplets, and the drug content and phase distribution of the reconstituted emulsion were evaluated. An everted intestinal sac model was established, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the concentration of six active components (ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B, senkyunolide A, ligustilide, cryptotanshinone, and tanshinone IIA) and to assess the cumulative uptake amount of the drug and the apparent permeability coefficient. A mixture of the crude materials of tanshinones extract, total salvianolic acid, ferulic acid, and volatile oil of Ligusticum Chuanxiong was used as a control. The results showed that the spray-dried emulsion can be easily reconstituted into a uniform submicron emulsion with no significant changes in particle size, morphology, and microstructure of the emulsion droplets compared with the original emulsion before drying. The self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion significantly improved the intestinal absorption of water-insoluble components (tanshinone IIA, cryptotanshinone, and ferulic acid), and volatile oil components (senkyunolide A and ligustilide). Overall, the spray-dried self-stabilizing nanocrystal emulsion represents a potential oral formulation for Salvia miltiorrhiza and Chuanxiong rhizoma.

Effect of viral-inoculation on the morphology, physiology, and phytochemistry of parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Petroselinum crispum known as parsley is widely used in raw material food and culinary. In this study, the effects of three different viruses, parsley yellow leaf curl virus (PYLCV), sesame curly top virus (SeCTV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), on parsley morphological, physiological, biochemical, and phytochemical characteristics, were investigated. To repeat the entire experiment, the study was conducted over two growing seasons using a completely randomized design. The results showed that all three viruses significantly reduced plant biomass, photosynthesis, greenness, and chlorophyll content. The Fv/Fm ratio, results revealed that PYLCV was more stress-inducing than SeCTV and CMV. Although PYLCV reduced essential oil (EO) content, SeCTV and CMV increased EO content. In addition to changes in all physiological and morphological parameters of parsley during virus-inoculation, the main component of parsley EO, myristicin, ranged from 37% to 73%. These results have profound implications for sustainable viral disease management, emphasizing the importance of understanding virus impacts on important plants to enhance crop resilience and ensure food quality and safety. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing phytochemical production and mitigating the effects of viral infections.

β-asarone relieves Parkinson’s disease through reducing intracellular Ca2+ in PINK1 mutant Drosophila melanogaster

β-asarone, an effective volatile oil component of Acorus chinensis, has been found to hold beneficial effects on Parkinson's disease (PD), but its mechanism remains incompletely understood. Drosophila melanogaster with PTEN induced kinase 1 (PINK1) mutations, a prototype PD model, was used in this study. We found that calcium chelation profoundly alleviated a spectrum of PD symptoms. Whereas, calcium supplementation made the case worse, suggesting accumulated calcium contributes to progression of PD. β-asarone administration decreased Ca2+ level in PD flies, accompanied by alleviated behavioral and neural defects. Further study demonstrated that β-asarone downregulated L-type Ca2+ channels (Dmca1D), which was increased in PD flies. Besides, β-asarone decreased expression of 1,4,5 - trisphosphate receptor (Itpr), which is responsible for calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Knockdown of either Dmca1D or Itpr specifically in dopaminergic neurons alleviated behavioral and neural defects in PD flies. While overexpression of Itpr aggravated PD symptoms. The results indicated that increased intracellular calcium influx and release triggers dysregulation of calcium homeostasis in PD flies. And β-asarone prevents PD by restoring Ca2+ homeostasis. Overall, the study demonstrated that β-asarone can serve as a new prospective medication against PD or other diseases associated with dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis.

Identification of Volatile Oil Components of Croton oblongus

Identification of Volatile Oil Components of Croton oblongus

Synthesis and Thermal Properties of Bio-Based Janus Ring Siloxanes Incorporating Terpenes and Terpenoids.

A mild and highly selective hydrosilylation method was employed to synthesize five novel well-defined Janus ring siloxanes bearing terpenes and terpenoids, which are the main bioactive components of essential oils. The characterization of these new bio-sourced molecular materials, derived from hydrosilyl-substituted all-cis-cyclotetrasiloxane, was conducted through comprehensive analyses using multinuclear NMR, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the newly synthesized Janus rings was investigated, and the siloxane skeleton was shown to confer an enhanced thermal stability compared with free terpenes and terpenoids.

ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF ESSENTIAL OILS EXTRACTED FROM Viola odorata L. CULTIVATED IN IRAQ

This study was aimed to determine the composition of essential oil contained in Viola odorata flowers and leaves. As well as assessing the cytotoxic effects of this oil on cancer cells and its antioxidant properties. A GC-Mass analysis was conducted to reveal essential oil components in flowers and leaves. For testing the antioxidant capacity of flowers and leaves oil, DPPH (1,1 Dyphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), resazurin dye, and hydroxyl were used. An in vitro study was conducted using lung cancer (A549) and breast normal (MCF-10) cell lines with concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 µl/ml of V. odorata L. essential oil. According to the results, essential oils derived from flowers and leaves contain different components in terms of quality and quantity. At a concentration of 300 µl/ml, the results showed that flowers' essential oil was highly antioxidant (98.16 %, 92.47%, 94.00 %) when combined with DPPH, resazurin dye, and hydroxyl, respectively. There was variation in cytotoxic effects on cancer cells based on oil concentrations and sources (flowers and leaves). In conclusion, the A549 cell line was significantly affected by flower oil than by leaves oil. The highest effect of flower oil was observed at a concentration of 300 µl/ml.