Major Components Of Essential Oil Research Articles

Chemical Characterization of the Essential Oil Compositions of Mentha spicata and M. longifolia ssp. cyprica from the Mediterranean Basin and Multivariate Statistical Analyses.

This present study aims to characterize the essential oil compositions of the aerial parts of M. spicata L. and endemic M. longifolia ssp. cyprica (Heinr. Braun) Harley by using GC-FID and GC/MS analyses simultaneously. In addition, it aims to perform multivariate statistical analysis by comparing with the existing literature, emphasizing the literature published within the last two decades, conducted on both species growing within the Mediterranean Basin. The major essential oil components of M. spicata were determined as carvone (67.8%) and limonene (10.6%), while the major compounds of M. longifolia ssp. cyprica essential oil were pulegone (64.8%) and 1,8-cineole (10.0%). As a result of statistical analysis, three clades were determined for M. spicata: a carvone-rich chemotype, a carvone/trans-carveol chemotype, and a pulegone/menthone chemotype, with the present study result belonging to the carvone-rich chemotype. Carvone was a primary determinant of chemotype, along with menthone, pulegone, and trans-carveol. In M. longifolia, the primary determinants of chemotype were identified as pulegone and menthone, with three chemotype clades being pulegone-rich, combined menthone/pulegone, and combined menthone/pulegone with caryophyllene enrichment. The primary determinants of chemotype were menthone, pulegone, and caryophyllene. The present study result belongs to pulegone-rich chemotype.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and essential oil studies on Veratrum album L. (Melanthiaceae)

In this study, essential oil components of the Veratrum album L. and the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of these components were determined. The chemical composition of the essential oils of dried aerial parts of V. album was analyzed using GC and GC-MS. Antimicrobial activity was determined with the disk diffusion method. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity were detected for the antioxidant activity of the plant. According to the analysis results, the major essential oil components of the V. album were determined as hexacosane (39.5%), myristic (tetradecanoic) acid (22.8%), heptane (6.5%), anethole (4.9%) and 1,8- cineole (4.8%). The findings showed that the methanol extracts of the stem and leaf parts of the plant inhibited the growth of pathogenic microorganisms at different rates (14±0.1 - 34±0.3 mm). The TAS values of methanol extracts of stem and leaf parts of V. album were calculated as 3.75±0.07 and 3.91±0.01 mmol, while TOS values were calculated as 6.14±0.13 and 6.54±0.05 μmol. The scavenging activity of the DPPH radical increased depending on increasing concentrations of the plant extract.

Variations in Essential Oil Biological Activities of Female Cones at Different Developmental Stages from Azorean Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.) D. Don (Cupressaceae)

In the Azores Archipelago, Cryptomeria japonica is, currently, the most cultivated forestry tree for timber production, landscaping, and gardening, generating large amounts of foliage waste that is used for local essential oils (EOs) production. However, the existing literature on the biological potential of EOs from different C. japonica foliage parts, such as female cones (FC), remains limited. Thus, in the present study, EOs extracted by hydrodistillation from Azorean C. japonica immature and mature FC (IFC and MFC), as well as some major EO components, were screened for their: (i) antioxidant capacity, evaluated by DPPH free-radical-scavenging activity (FRSA) and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching activity (BCBA), (ii) antimicrobial activities, assessed by the disc diffusion method against eight bacteria and one fungus, and (iii) toxicity against Artemia salina. Among both FC EO samples, the IFC EO exhibited the best DPPH–FRSA, BCBA, and growth inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, and Penicillium italicum, as well as a slightly increased toxic potential, due to their differential compositions, as assessed by GC–MS analysis. Thus, the FC’s maturation process decreased their EOs’ bioactivities. In conclusion, this finding could help in determining the optimal developmental stage for enhancing the antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds content in FC EOs. In turn, this contributes to increasing the commercial potential of C. japonica’s EO industry.

Regulation of lipid metabolism by the major components of orange essential oil in high-fat diet mice

Orange essential oil (OEO) is an important citrus by-product that has been utilized as a nutritional modulator. In the study, we investigated the effects of limonene, linalool, and decanal (the major components of OEO) on hepatic lipid composition and metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. The results showed that limonene, linalool and decanal treatments alleviated weight gain and dyslipidemia induced by HFD. In addition, compared to the HFD group, hepatic lipids were significantly altered in the treated groups, PIs, PEs and PGs screened as marker metabolites. Furthermore, we found that limonene, linalool and decanal accelerated the oxidation of fatty acids by stimulating of PPAR-α and CPT-1 expression. Therefore, our study can provide theoretical support for aromatics as nutritional regulators.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of eugenol-isoxazoline hybrid derivatives as potential anti-leishmanial agents

Leishmaniasis is a group of protozoan parasitic diseases caused by various Leishmania species. The clinical manifestations range from skin abrasions to lethal infection in the visceral organs such as the liver and spleen. The emergence of drug resistance, long hospitalization periods, and various adverse effects of the current therapeutic regimen have incited the quest for exploring novel molecules as efficient treatment regimens. Eugenol is the major component of clove essential oil and has significant biological potential with anti-microbial properties. Moreover, natural product derivatives having the isoxazoline group have shown promising pharmacological applications. Thus, various analogs were synthesized and characterized to explore the anti-leishmanial potency of eugenol and isoxazoline hybrid. Results from the in vitro assay against Leishmania donovani parasites identified three potent derivatives (7e, 8a, and 8b) with IC50 values in the range of 7–17 µM. Cytotoxicity analysis against the J774A.1 macrophage cell line confirmed the satisfactory safety index of these potent hits and ex vivo infectivity assay established the role of these hits in reducing intracellular amastigote burden. Next, various mechanistic studies, including SEM analysis, higher ROS production, reduced intracellular ATP levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, formation of intracellular lipid bodies, and acidic vesicular organelles, confirmed the role of these potent hits in parasite cell death. According to the molecular docking analysis results, the most potent derivative, 8b, had strong binding interactions with residues Ile296, Pro299, and Phe354 of sterol 14α-demethylase protein of the Leishmania parasite. Entirely the study highlights the role of eugenol-isoxazoline hybrid derivatives as potential leishmanicidal agents.

Chemical compositions and cytotoxicity effects of essential oils from the leaves and pseudo-stems of Curcuma zedoaroides Chaveer. & Tanee collected in Vietnam

In this study, chemical components and cytotoxic effects of essential oils from Curcuma zedoaroides Chaveer. & Tanee growing wild in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam, were investigated. The essential oils of C. zedoaroides were obtained through hydrodistillation with contents of 0.38% and 0.1% in C. zedoaroides leaves (CZL) and C. zedoaroides pseudo-stems (CZPS), respectively (based on dried herbal materials). Using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, 48 volatile compounds were identified in the CZL essential oil. The major components of the CZL essential oil were curdione (14.05%), 1,8-cineole (8.88%), camphor (7.06%), trans-β-elemenone (6.65%), (E)-β-farnesene epoxide (6.44%), curzerene (5.20%), isoborneol (4.75%), β-elemene (3.41%), endo-borneol (3.07%), camphene (2.87%), humulene (2.47%), and γ-elemene (2.22%). Besides, 47 components were determined in the CZPS essential oil with the significant components of curzerene (11.72%), trans-β-elemenone (10.64%), curdione (9.79%), β-elemene (6.77%), (E)-β-farnesene epoxide (6.71%), humulene (6.37%), cis-β-elemenone (3.81%), γ-elemene (3.55%), camphor (3.41%), germacrone (2.83%), and isoborneol (2.39%). The CZL essential oil showed weak cytotoxic activity against tested cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, HepG2, HT29, HL-60, K562, and MDA-MB-231) with IC50 values in the range of 43.88 to 81.32 μg/mL. This study is the first information on the chemical compositions of the CZL and CZPS essential oils of C. zedoaroides, as well as the cytotoxicity of the CZL essential oil.

Content analysis, nanoparticle forming potential and acaricidal effects on Tick (Hyalomma marginatum) of essential oils from two common Thymbra species

In this study, the fatty acid, essential oil and aroma composition of Thymbra sintenisii Bornm. & Aznav. subsp. sintenisii Bornm. & Aznav (TSS) and Thymbra sintenisii Bornm. & Azn. subsp. isaurica P.H.Davis (TSI) were determined by GC-MS. The cytotoxic activity was determined with MTT assay and antioxidant activities were determined with DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC methods. Urease, acetyl, butyryl, angiotensin, α-amylase, tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase enzyme inhibition activities of these species were also determined. The acaricidal effects of essential oils from aerial parts of TSS and TSI on ticks and the nanoparticle formation potential of their essential oils with AgNO3 were determined and compared. The main components of TSS essential oil and aroma were determined as carvacrol and o-cemen (66.78 and 35.44%, respectively), the major components of TSI essential oil and aroma were carvacrol and γ-terpinene (63.78 and 31.44%, respectively). The species exhibited remarkably high antioxidant activity, particularly in the ABTS and CUPRAC methods. It was also determined that the butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition activities (Inhibition%: 76.12±0.83 and 74.13±0.33, respectively) of the species were quite high. Moderate antimicrobial activity against the bacteria was observed for both essential oils, with MIC values ranging from 312 to 1250 μg/mL. Moreover, essential oils of these species showed good acaricidal activity on Hyalomma marginatum (LC50: 11.82 μg/mL for TSS; LC50: 57.64 μg/mL for TSI). The high antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and acaracidal activities observed in both species are attributed to the presence of carvacrol in their essential oils. The species have potential to be used in food supplements-preservatives, pharmaceutical industry.

Efficacy of fumigant compounds from essential oil of feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium L.) against maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Mots.): Fumigant toxicity test and in-silico study

Post-harvest insects are among the significant problems in the agricultural sector. The most accessible tools available for managing post-harvest arthropod-pests are fumigants because of the convenience of their applications and fast action in disinfecting. This study aimed to examine the fumigant toxicity of essential oil (EO) against maize weevil and identify the specific fumigants among the major components. The EO was extracted from aerial part of Chrysanthemum parthenium L. using Clevenger apparatus and was tested for fumigant toxicity. GC-MS was used to determine the chemical composition of EO. The major components were identified and screened virtually using Auto dock vina 1.2. in PyRx 0.8 platform. Dm AChE PDB ID: 6XYY was used as a target for molecular docking and malathion and pirimiphusmethyl were used as a reference for comparison. From the results of binding affinities, most of the major EO components showed better fumigant activity than the reference fumigants. More specifically 1,6-dioxaspiro[4,4]non-ene, b-farensen, bornyl-tiglate, g-terpinene, p-cymene, bornyl-acetate, bornyl-isovalerate, terpinen-4-ol, trans-chrysanthenyl-acetate and a-phellandrene were found to be effective fumigants against maize weevil. The above findings suggest that the EO of the aerial part of C. parthenium can be a potential candidate for the development of novel natural fumigants for stored products.
 KEY WORDS: Essential oil, Fumigants, Insecticides, Binding affinity, Maize weevil
 Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(2), 457-472. 
 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i2.13

Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Microbial Activities of [ZnO: CoO/ Eugenol] and [ZnO: Fe2O3/ Eugenol] Nanocomposites

Metal oxide nanocomposites (MONCs) manufacturing is increasingly gaining popularity. The primary cause of this is the broad range of applications for such materials, which include fuel cells, photovoltaics, cosmetics, medicine, semiconductor packing materials, water treatment, and catalysts. Due to their size, stability, high surface area, catalytic activity, simplicity in fabrication, and selectivity for particular reactions. The MONCs with various morphologies have been created by physical, chemical, and biological processes, such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, solvothermal, and microwave irradiation. Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a major component of clove essential oil and it was found in various plant groups, has been widely utilized, and famously stated to have a variety of important biological activities. It is a good starting material for the synthesis of a wide variety of derivatives with different activity. Due to the presence of many functional groups in its structure, including allyl (-CH2-CH=CH2), phenol (-OH), and methoxy (-OCH3). The eugenol was taken with metal oxides (zinc cobalt oxides ZnO: CoO) to synthesis [ZnO: CoO/ Eug] and (zinc ferric oxides ZnO: Fe2O3) to synthesis [ZnO: Fe2O3/ Eug] as nanocomposites by hydrothermal method and characterization the compounds using: (FT-IR, AFM, SEM, EDX, XRD) techniques. Then, they tested their biological activities through antimicrobial and antioxidant.

The effect of different drying temperatures on the essential oil content and chemical composition of Lavandula angustifolia Mill.

Drying temperatures affect the content and composition of essential oils in plants containing essential oils due to the organs where essential oils are synthesized and stored. For this reason, many studies have been carried out to determine the appropriate drying temperature to obtain the highest amount and the best quality essential oil. In present study, it is aimed to determine the effects of different drying temperatures on essential oil content and components in lavender (Lavandula angustufolia Mill.). The samples dried at four different temperatures (35°C, 45°C, 55°C and 65°C) were isolated for 3 hours using Clevenger type apparatus and the obtained oils were analyzed by GC-MS. The essential oil contents obtained at 25°C, 35°C, 45°C, 55°C, and 65°C were 1.17%, 0.96%, 0.94%, 0.65%, and 0.18% respectively. It was determined that the major components of essential oils obtained at different drying temperatures were 1.8-cineole (17.88-50.15%), camphor (32.60-48.86) and borneol (3.46-9.45%). The highest 1,8-cineole ratio was found in samples dried at 55°C (50.15%) but the lowest in samples dried at 65°C (17.88%). The highest and lowest camphor ratios were determined in samples dried at 65°C (48.86%) and samples dried at 55°C (32.60%) recpectively. The highest (9.45%) borneol ratio was obtained in samples dried at 65°C, while the lowest (3.46%) ratio was obtained in samples dried at 55°C. The results obtained in the present study showed that Lavender essential oil content and composition were affected by drying temperatures and the optimum drying temperature was 35 oC.

An Update on Microbial Biosynthesis of β-Caryophyllene, a Sesquiterpene with Multi-Pharmacological Properties

The sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a major component of various plant essential oils, to which it confers a unique spicy aroma. It is mainly used as a fragrance additive in the food, cosmetic and perfume industries, with an annual consumption ranging between 100 and 1000 metric tons worldwide. Recently, BCP has attracted attention as a promising precursor for the production of high-density fuels and for its various biological activities and pharmacological effects. These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immune–modulatory, and many other activities. Due to its underlying mechanisms, β-caryophyllene interacts with various human receptors, including CB2 of the endocannabinoid system, which defines it as a phytocannabinoid with therapeutic potential for certain serious conditions. Due to β-caryophyllene’s high utility, various green and sustainable strategies for its production in microorganisms have been developed. This article provides an update on the state-of-the-art in this field to identify directions for further development to extend the compound’s potential.

Ginger essential oil-loaded hydrogels: preparation, characterization, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to develop ginger essential oil hydrogel formulations, using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na CMC), Carbopol, and xanthan gum for dental and oromucosal infections. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated, and their bioadhesive characteristics were determined. Antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activities of the essential oil and its formulations were investigated, respectively. The major components of ginger essential oil were confirmed as α-zingiberene (39.0%) and ar-curcumene (23.7%) by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. The initial results showed that none of the tested gel formulations selected for the application were non-cytotoxic. According to antimicrobial and LOX enzyme activity studies, the essential oil-loaded xanthan gum gel (X3) was more effective compared to the essential oil itself. The initial formulation and biological evaluation studies concluded that ginger essential oil hydrogels (X3, C3) can be further developed for oral and dental health by providing a long residence time due to their bioadhesive properties.

The Essential Oil of Balsamorhiza sagittata from Southwestern Idaho: Chemical Composition and Enantiomeric Distribution

Background/Objective: Arrowleaf balsamroot ( Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt., Asteraceae) is a conspicuous forb growing in open hillsides and prairies at mid to upper elevations in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountain regions. The plant is important forage for deer and elk and several Native American tribes used arrowleaf balsamroot as food and medicine. The volatile phytochemicals of B. sagittata have not been previously examined. Methods/Results: Nine individual samples of B. sagittata were collected, the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation using a Likens-Nickerson apparatus in yields of 0.069-0.956%, and the essential oils analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques (GC-MS, GC-FID, and chiral GC-MS). The major components in the leaf essential oil of B. sagittata were (−)-germacrene D (10.8-34.5%), (+)-β-phellandrene (6.4-19.4%), (−)-( E)-β-caryophyllene (1.4-15.0%), and ( E)-β-ocimene (3.1-8.4%). Conclusion: There was modest variation in composition or yield with respect to geographical location or elevation in the samples from southwestern Idaho, but comparison with essential oils from locations outside of Idaho should more completely define the volatile phytochemistry of this plant.

Synergistic and antagonistic medicinal activities of essential oil of Monodora myristica

Synergetic and antagonistic medicinal activities of crude and fractionated essential oil from the seed of Monodora myristica were investigated. The crude essential oil was extracted by steam distillation and then subjected to column chromatography; three fractions (N1, N2, and N3) were obtained. To identify the components, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) investigation was utilized. The phytochemical parameters were determined by standard analytical methods. 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were used to evaluate the antioxidative capacity. and, the anti-diabetic activity was performed using α-amylase and α-glucosidase assay. The Agar diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activities. The GC-MS analysis indicated p-cymene (21.12%) as the major component of the crude essential oil. The antioxidant activity using DPPH varied from 614 to 704 µg/mL, while the ABTS activity ranged between 281-342 µg/mL. The α-amylase assay showed fraction N1 with IC50 value of 3.21 µg/mL, while for α-glucosidase assay, fraction N2 with IC50 2.15 µg/mL recorded the least value. The minimum inhibitory concentration values for the crude extract and all the fractions against the strains of bacteria ranged from 6 to 12.5 mg/mL Both crude extract and fractionated essential oil showed antioxidant, anti-diabetic and antibacterial activities.

Synergistic activity of Thymus capitatus essential oil and cefotaxime against ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT The objective of the current study was to evaluate the interaction between Tunisian Thymus capitatus essential oil (EO) and cefotaxime against Extended-Spectrum Beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae hospital strains. GC-MS revealed that the major component of EO was found to be carvacrol (69.28%). The EO exerts an advanced bactericidal effect against all strains. Synergy between EO and cefotaxime was obtained by combined disk diffusion and checkerboard techniques. Combined use of EO and cefotaxime reduced the MIC of imipenem by 8- to 128-fold for all strains (fractional inhibitory concentration index ˂ 0.5, synergy). The time kill curve assay confirmed the advanced activity of combinatory effects of EO and cefotaxime, with total reduce of bacterial number (CFU/mL) after 6 h of culture. Synergistic activity of the combination between EO and cefotaxime constitute an important strategy as therapeutical option to combat infections caused by ESBLs producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Terahertz/far infrared spectroscopy as an alternative method for the characterization of major components in Laggera decurrens essential oil

The Fourier Transform Infrared technique was used to determine the major components of Laggera decurrens essential oil. The experiment revealed that there are signatures of thymol, carvacrol and thymoquinone in Laggera decurrens essential oil. This was suggested by the existence of shared absorption bands between these pure compounds and Laggera decurrens essential oil. The PBE0 DFT functional was employed to calculate the theoretical spectra of thymol, carvacrol and thymoquinone. A good correspondence was obtained between the experimental and theoretical spectra of these materials. Peak assignments showed that the Laggera decurrens absorption bands at 5.68 THz, 9.47 THz, 14.20 THz, 15.71 THz and 18.10 THz had corresponding absorption bands in either of the three materials with the same vibration modes. These further confirms the existence of thymol, carvacrol and thymoquinone in Laggera decurrens essential oil. This work presents a novel method for the characterization of major components in essential oils which has otherwise been commonly performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/ Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector. This presents the use of terahertz or far infrared spectroscopy for the quality control of essential oils. This study further highlights the effectiveness of the Fourier Transform Infrared method in determining constituents of complex samples.

Encapsulation of essential oil to prepare environment friendly nanobio-fungicide against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici: An experimental and molecular dynamics approach

This study aims to develop a nano-biofungicide comprising of volatile essential oil molecules to enhance its efficacy in the field of agriculture through easily scalable green synthesis technique. It was prepared through one pot hot melt ultrasonication technique with easy water dispersability and long term stability. The effective surface-active agent concentration which controls the size and stability of nano bio-fungicide was studied. The small particle size (158 nm) and narrow particle distribution (0.36) were obtained for the nano bio-fungicide at 20 mg of lecithin and 100 mg of surfactant concentration. The physico-chemical analysis revealed that, nano bio-fungicides were amorphous sphere-shaped nanoparticles with low melting point. The greater molecular level affinity of essential oil towards lipids and their interfacial interaction towards essential oil to achieve stabilised dispersion in aqueous environment were deciphered through molecular dynamics simulation. The unique preferential binding of eugenol, bornanone and cinnamaldehyde with the hydrocarbon chain of glycerol monostearate and phospholipid enhanced their biological stability in aqueous environment by preventing its autoxidation. It was further confirmed through accelarated ageing studies. The major components of essential oil like alpha-terpineol, linalool, thymol and cinamaldehyde had an encapsulation efficiency of 29 %, 65 %, 21 % and 50 % respectively. Subsequently, all these bioactives of essential oil follows Higuchi model of release kinetics. Besides, the essential oil loaded nanostructured lipid carrier had significantly higher mycelial growth inhibition than pure essential oil at the same concentration. Thus, our results suggest that essential oil compactly packed at the intramolecular spaces of lipids and surfactants were having enhanced bio-efficacy with long term storage potential. Hence, the present nano-biofungicide could be a good alternative to the harsh pesticidal chemicals with easy and simple large scale production protocol for the eco- friendly management of wilt disease caused by Fuarium oxysporum.

Chemical Composition and Antifungal and Antibiofilm Effects of Vitex pseudo-negundo Essential Oil against Pathogenic Fungal Strains.

Vitex pseudo-negundo is a plant of the Lamiaceae family that grows in different parts of the world and the vicinity of seasonal rivers in Iran. The chemical composition of the Vitex pseudo-negundo essential oils was distilled and evaluated using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The antifungal activity of the essential oils against the fungal strains was analyzed by broth microdilution methods as suggested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Furthermore, the antibiofilm activity of the Vitex pseudo-negundo essential oils was assessed using the XTT reduction assay. Based on GC/MS analysis, the major components of the Vitex pseudo-negundo essential oils were α-pinene, α-terpinyl acetate, limonene, and (E)-caryophyllene. The growth of tested yeasts was inhibited at concentrations ranging from 2 to 64 μl/mL. Vitex pseudo-negundo fruit essential oil was the most effective in inhibiting yeast growth. Moreover, the essential oils exhibited antifungal activity against filamentous fungi strains. Additionally, the biofilm formation of Candida albicans was inhibited by the leaf, flower, and fruit of the essential oils. Considering the significant antifungal activities of these essential oils, they can be considered a potential source for formulating novel agents to control fungal infections.

Evaluation of the antibacterial potency of Thymus algeriensis essential oil against nosocomial bacterial strains

Introduction. The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, and the toll healthcare-associated infections have been causing globally with the development of human therapy increased the overall interest in alternative natural prevention and treatment strategies. Aromatic extracts generally and essential oils specifically were proposed as potential prevention, or complementary therapy against bacterial infections, especially the nosocomial ones. Objectives. The Thymus genus, with its various species, was subject to investigation worldwide, and this study explored the in-vitro antibacterial activity of the formerly chemically identified Algerian northern central Thymus algeriensis. Method. Three bacterial strains were employed (i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli) based on their prevalence in Algerian health institutions. Results. The analysis revealed the sensitivity of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oil activity, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant. The results comparison to local and regional research groups’ outputs suggests that Linalool, a major component of the present study essential oil, is a main vector of the antibacterial activity, and its quantitative variation results in drastic activity shifts. Conclusions. This work highlighted the selective sensitivity of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to Thymus algeriensis essential oil and insist on the chemical identification of local aromatic species before aromatherapy implementation.

Hybridization Synthesis and Anticancer Activity Test of New Carboxylic Acid Derivatives by In-Silico and In-Vitro

Design of new compounds as active ingredients of drugs must be selective and efficient to achieve therapeutic efficacy and minimize resulting side effects. Hybridization synthesis approaches using major components of essential oils can reliably generate new molecules that are superior as active ingredients of anti-cancer drugs due to their cytotoxic properties. This study synthesized a hybrid molecule of citronellyl salicylate by an esterification reaction using Steglich and Fisher method under ultrasonic assistance. The Steglich esterification is more efficient in producing citronellyl salicylate during 30 minutes reaction, yield 12.45%. Analysis of the synthesized product by FTIR is characterized by the presence of typical absorptions of the ester group at ῡ 1650 cm-1 and 1270 cm-1, while LC ESI-MS shows m/z 294 is indicated [M+NH4]+. Anticancer activity was tested in-silico for protein receptors MMP-9, MMP-2, Cyclin-A, p53, and BAK using Molecular Docking Pyrx 9.0 and the highest activity was shown binding affinity value -8.4 kcal/mol for the MMP-9 protein receptor. Similarly, the results of the in vitro activity assay of citronellyl salicylate to 4T1 breast cancer cells showed that the morphology of cancer cells was damaged and the viability of cancer cells was lower than that of normal cells