Parts Essential Oil Research Articles

In vitro scolicidal activity of aerial parts essential oils of Ducrosia anethifolia DC. Boiss. against hydatid cyst protoscolices

In vitro scolicidal activity of aerial parts essential oils of Ducrosia anethifolia DC. Boiss. against hydatid cyst protoscolices

The chemical composition of the aerial parts essential oil of four Phagnalon species collected in Sicily (Italy) and Greece

The genus Phagnalon Cass., included in the Asteraceae family, has a wide distribution, expanding from Macaronesia in the West to the Himalayas in the East, from South France and Nord Italy to Ethiopia and Arabian Peninsula. Various species of Phagnalon have been used in the popular medicine of several countries as medicinal herbs and food. The extracts and the secondary metabolites, have a varied application spectrum at several biological levels, with antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, etc. properties having been reported. The essential oils of four taxa, Phagnalon rupestre, Phagnalon saxatile var. viride, and Phagnalon rupestre subsp. illyricum var. metlesicsii collected in Sicily (Italy), never previously investigated, and of Phagnalon graecum collected in Greece, were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). All the oils were very rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons, with β-pinene as main constituent. Chemotaxonomic considerations with respect to all the other oils of Phagnalon taxa were carried out.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. Essential Oils from Kumaun Hills of Uttarakhand.

Hedychium coccineum Buch. Ham. ex Sm. is a perennial rhizomatous herb belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. The aim of the present study was to compare the chemical composition and biological activities of H. coccineum rhizome essential oil (HCCRO) and H. coccineum aerial part essential oil (HCCAO). The plant material was subjected to hydro-distillation using Clevenger’s apparatus in order to obtain volatile oil and analyzed for its chemical constituents using GC-MS. The comparative study of the rhizome and aerial part essential oils of H. coccineum displayed that (E)-nerolidol (15.9%), bornyl acetate (13.95%), davanone B (10.9%), spathulenol (8.9%), and 1, 8-cineol (8.5%) contributed majorly to the HCCRO, while 7-hydroxyfarnesen (15.5%), α-farnesene (11.1%), α-pinene (10.9%), spathulenol (7.7%), and β-pinene (6.8%) were present as major constituents in the HCCAO. Both the essential oils were studied for their biological activities, such as nematicidal, insecticidal, herbicidal, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. The essential oils exhibited significant nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita, insecticidal activity against Spodoptera litura, and moderate herbicidal activity against R. raphanistrum sub sp. sativus, and good antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Curvularialunata. Essential oils were also tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. Both oils showed good to moderate activity against the tested pathogens. The significant nematicidal, insecticidal, herbicidal, antifungal, and antibacterial activities of both the essential oils might be helpful for the development of environmentally friendly pesticides that could be an alternative to synthetic pesticides in the future.

Phenolic Compounds of Rumex L: Aerial Part Fractions and Essential Oil Results of In vitro Screening for Antimicrobial Activity

The aim of the present study to clarify the phytochemical constituents of Rumex plants, extraction, separation and structural identification of chemical components, provide theoretical support and scientific basis for its traditional use, further expand the application scope of traditional medicinal plant resources in Uzbekistan, and develop its potential value. Three known anthraquinone derivatives has been isolated from the chloroform fraction extract of Rumex pamiricus roots and two known compounds were separated from the ethyl acetate fraction extract of Rumex conglomeratus roots. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic evidence and chemical methods. Qualitative analyses of major phenolics by TLC analysis were also evaluated. The ester oil from the aerial parts of Rumex confertus and Rumex pamiricus, the gasoline, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol extracts of Rumex pamiricus aerial part and alcohol extract of Rumex pamiricus roots were tested in vitro for antimicrobial activity.
 This study aimed to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the medicinal plants traditionally used in Uzbekistan against the microbial strains associated with infectious diseases.

Antimicrobial activity of Tetraclinis articulata aerial parts essential oil from Tlemcen, Northwestern of Algeria

The essential oil from aerial parts of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters, obtained byhydrodistillation was analyzed by GC, GC/MS and 13C-NMR and evaluated for antimicrobialactivity. The essential oil was rich in monoterpenes which α-pinene, bornyl acetate andcamphor being the main constituents.Three essential oils were tested against Staphylococcusaureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiellapneumoniae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus and theminimum inhibitory concentration was determined.The tested oils have been shown topossess inhibitory action in the range from 1 to 6 µL/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus, A.niger and Staphylococcus aureus. However, essential oil with camphor as major componentwas the most interesting, with CMIs ranging between 1 and 3 µL/mL. While, essential oilwith α-pinene as major compound, remains the less effective, with CMIs ranging between 2and 6 µL/mL.

Chemical content of the aerial parts essential oil from rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) samples collected from Kermanshah province in the west of Iran

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is one of the evergreen and fragrant medicinal plants belonging to Lamiaceae (Labiatae). In the present research, the chemical content of the essential oil isolated from its aerial parts (leaf and flower) was investigated. Accordingly, the mature plant was collected in its natural habitats from Kermanshah province in the west of Iran, dried gradually under the shadow (25 °C), pulverized, its essential oil isolated, and finally analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy. The results showed that the important compounds were available in the essential oil of this medicinal plant; the number of them reached 147. Run (retention) time for total compounds was determined as 38.358 min. Also, 27 compounds had > 1% share in total volume; among them, alpha-pinene, (-)-bicyclo (peak 4, 5.448 min, 7.50%), bicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-2-one (peak 29, 9.848 min, 5.92%), bicyclo [3.1.1] hept-3-en-2-one (peak 40, 11.771 min, 5.48%), 1,8-cineole 2-oxabicyclo (peak 17, 7.256 min, 4.60%), and acetic acid 1,7,7-trimethyl (peak 45, 14.506 min, 4.29%) were five major constituents, respectively. Moreover, 56 different compounds contained ≤ 0.1% share in total volume and were distinguished as minor compounds. Accordingly, this fragrant medicinal plant has important essential oil constituents which could be considered in medical, pharmacology, and toxicology.

Chemical content of the aerial parts essential oil from rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) samples collected from Kermanshah province in the west of Iran

Chemical content of the aerial parts essential oil from rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) samples collected from Kermanshah province in the west of Iran

GC/MS analysis and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Telekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg.

Telekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg., Asteraceae, is widespread in Eastern and Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. Previous phytochemical investigations have revealed T. speciosa as a rich source of sesquiterpene lactone – isoalantolactone, especially in its underground parts. The aim of the present study was to analyze the essential oils from aerial and underground parts of T. speciosa and investigate their antimicrobial activity. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation. Their chemical compositions were determined by GC-FID/MS method leading to the identification of 67 compounds in total, with 15.77% oxygenated monoterpenes, 7.77% sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 49.14% oxygenated sesquiterpenes and 12.37% other compounds from aerial parts, and 3.80% oxygenated monoterpenes, 3.13% sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 90.33% oxygenated sesquiterpenes from underground parts essential oil. The main components from essential oil aerial parts were ( E )-nerolidol (11.54%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.54%), while isoalantolactone was the predominant component from essential oil underground parts (83.41%). The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration of the essential oils were evaluated against six strains of bacteria and two strains of fungus using in vitro microdilution method. Both oils presented antimicrobial properties against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus , Bacilus cereus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli , and Candida albicans. Inhibition of growth of tested microorganisms by T. speciosa UEO was achieved with MICs ranging 1.0 to 11.0 mg mL -1 , while MICs of AEO varied from 4.0 to 30.0 mg mL -1 . The obtained results contribute to knowledge of antimicrobial properties of T. speciosa , which support traditional usees underground parts of the plant.

Thymus persicus (Ronniger ex Rech. f.) Jalas alleviates nociceptive and neuropathic pain behavior in mice: Multiple mechanisms of action

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThymus persicus (Roniger ex Reach F.) is an Iranian endemic medicinal plant of which essential oil and various products have numerous food and pharmaceutical applications (headache and fever treatments). ObjectiveThis modern research included Swiss mice to investigate the anti-nociceptive and anti-neuropathic effects of Thymus persicus aerial parts essential oil (TPEO). Materials and methodsTo determine TPEO's anti-nociceptive function in the formalin-induced paw licking (FML), researchers looked at the L-arginine/NO/cGMP/KATP channel signaling pathway as well as multiple receptors as with serotonin, morphine, dopamine, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. The CVC or cervical spinal cord contusion exemplar has also been used to induce neuropathic pain. ResultsTPEO (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) relative to control mice in the phase-II of FML provided strong antinociception (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, methylene blue, glibenclamide, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, naloxonazine, nor-binaltorphimine, prazosin, yohimbine, and ondansetron pre-treating restored the TPEO anti-nociceptive activity in the FML (phase-II) exemplar (p < 0.05). In phase-II of the FML exemplar, carvacrol (one of the active components of TPEO) also greatly reduced pain (p < 0.001). Likewise, in CVC mice, TPEO altered mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia. ConclusionIt was attained magnificently that TPEO could exerts antinociceptive effects through the involvement of L-arginine/NO/cGMP/KATP signaling pathway, adrenergic, opioid, and serotonin receptors. Moreover, it is demonstrate that anti-neuropathic activity of TPEO may be mediated by inflammatory function.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Potential of the Algerian Limonium Oleifolium Mill. Essential Oil and Organic Extracts.

This work aimed to investigate, for the first time, the chemical composition, antioxidant, antiparasitic, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activities of the aromatic plant Limonium oleifolium Mill. essential oil (EO) and organic extracts. L. oleifolium aerial parts essential oil was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS, and 46 constituents representing 98.25±1.12 % of the oil were identified. γ-Muurolene (10.81±0.07 %), cis-caryophyllene (7.71±0.06 %), o-cymene (7.07±0.01 %) and α-copaene (5.02±0.05 %) were the essential oil main compounds. The antioxidant activity of L. oleifolium EO and organic extracts (MeOH, CHCl3 , AcOEt, BuOH) was explored using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS, β-carotene/linoleic acid, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and ferric reducing power assays. The results showed that L. oleifolium EO exhibit antioxidant capacity (IC50 =17.40±1.32 μg/mL for DPPH assay, IC50 =29.82±1.08 μg/mL for β-carotene assay, IC50 =25.23±1.01 μg/mL for ABTS assay, IC50 =9.11±0.08 μg/mL for CUPRAC assay and IC50 =19.41±2.06 mg/mL for reducing power assay). Additionally, the EO showed significant activity against trophozoite form of Acanthamoeba castellanii (IC50 =7.48±0.41 μg/mL) and promastigote form of Leishmania amazonensis (IC50 =19.36±1.06 μg/mL) and low cytotoxicity on murine macrophages (LC50 90.23±1.09 μg/mL), as well as good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results suggest that L. oleifolium essential oil is a valuable source of bioactive compounds presenting antioxidant, antiparasitic, and antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, it is considered nontoxic.

Study on Comparative Chemical Composition and Biological Activities in the Essential Oils from Different Parts of Coleus barbatus (Andrews) Bent. ex G. Don

The aim of the study was to compare the chemical composition and biological activities of Coleus barbatus aerial part essential oil (CBAEO) and Coleus barbatus root part essential oil (CBREO). The hydrodistilled essential oils (EOs) were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and biological activities were investigated in terms of antioxidant, in vitro anti-inflammatory, herbicidal, antibacterial, antifungal and antifeedant properties. GC-MS analysis led to the identification of 45 and 59 components contributing 86.7 % and 85.8 % in CBAEO and CBREO respectively. CBAEO was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (31.1 %) while CBREO was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (29.1 %). The EOs exhibited good to moderate antioxidant potential assayed by DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical and superoxide radical scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activity. CBREO showed good anti-inflammatory activity (76.9 %) than CBAEO (64.7 %). Both the EOs exhibited moderate herbicidal potential against Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus seeds. CBREO was observed to exhibit more antibacterial efficacy than CBAEO against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Both EOs exhibited significant antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata and Curvularia lunata and a strong antifeedant activity against third instar larvae of Spilosoma obliqua. The results obtained revealed strong to moderate efficacy of CBAEO and CBREO, which might serve as a bioactive source of natural antioxidants and an anti-inflammatory agent. The significant herbicidal, antimicrobial and anti-feedant activities of both the EOs might be helpful for the development of environmentally benign herbicides, fungicides and natural anti-feedant that could be an alternative of synthetic chemicals in future after proper clinical trials.

Post-Harvest Enhancing and Botrytis cinerea Control of Strawberry Fruits Using Low Cost and Eco-Friendly Natural Oils

This work investigates an experimental study for using low-cost and eco-friendly oils to increase the shelf life of strawberry fruit. Three natural oils were used: (i) Eucalyptus camaldulensis var obtuse, (ii) Mentha piperita green aerial parts essential oils (EOs), and (iii) Moringa oleifera seeds n-hexane fixed oil (FO). Furthermore, a mixture of EOs from E. camaldulensis var obtusa and M. piperita (1/1 v/v) was used. The treated fruits were stored at 5 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH) for 18 days. HPLC was used to analyse the changes in phenolic compounds during the storage periods. The effects of biofumigation through a slow-release diffuser of EOs (E. camaldulensis var obtusa and M. piperita), or by coating with M. oleifera FO, were evaluated in terms of control of post-harvest visual and chemical quality of strawberry fruits. The post-harvest resistance of strawberry fruits to Botrytis cinerea fungal infection was also evaluated. As a result, the EO treatments significantly reduced the change in visual and chemical quality of strawberry fruit. Additionally, changes in the titratable acidity of moringa FO-coated strawberry fruits were delayed. EO treatments improved total soluble solids, total phenols, ascorbic acid, antioxidants and peroxidase. E. camaldulensis var obtusa and M. piperita (1/1 v/v) EO-vapour fruit exhibited a slower rate of deterioration, compared to other treatments in all tested, in two experiments. The lowest colour change (ΔE) was observed inthe fruit treated with E. camaldulensis var obtusa EO and M. oleifera FO. HPLC showed changes in phenolic compounds’ concentration, where p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid and ellagic acid were mostly identified in the fruits treated with the oils. SEM examination confirmed the potential decrease in fungal growth as the fruits were treated with EOs. In conclusion, the treatment of EOs during different storage periods showed promising characterisations for strawberry fruit quality.

In Vitro Antifungal Activity and Chemical Composition of Piper auritum Kunth Essential Oil against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium equiseti

The essential oils of plants of the genus Piper have secondary metabolites that have antimicrobial activity related to their chemical composition. The objective of our work was to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antifungal activity of the aerial part essential oil of P. auritum obtained by hydrodistillation on Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium equiseti isolated from Capsicum chinense. The antifungal activity was evaluated by direct contact and poisoned food tests, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) and maximum radial growth inhibition (MGI) were determined. The identification of oil metabolites was carried out by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). By direct contact, the essential oil reached an inhibition of over 40% on Fusarium spp. The 8.4 mg/mL concentration showed the highest inhibition on F. oxysporum (40–60%) and F. equiseti (&gt;50%). The MIC50 was 6 mg/mL for F. oxysporum FCHA-T7 and 9 mg/mL for F. oxysporum FCHJ-T6 and F. equiseti FCHE-T8. DART-MS chemical analysis of the essential oil showed [2M-H]− and [M-H]− adducts of high relative intensity that were mainly attributed to eugenol and thymol/p-cimen-8-ol. The findings found in this study show a fungistatic effect of the essential oil of P. auritum on Fusarium spp.

Chemical composition of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels aerial part essential oil and its pharmacological applications, neurodegenerative inhibitory, and genotoxic efficiencies.

Callistemon citrinus aerial part essential oil (CCEO) was analyzed for chemical compositions using GC/MS. Pharmacological activities such as neurodegenerative inhibitory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and acetylcholinesterase activities were evaluated using the standard methodologies. Genotoxicity was investigated using Allium cepa assay. GC/MS analysis identified 27 compounds; eucalyptol (55.40%) was the major component. Radical scavenging activity showed IC50 value of 16.71μg/mL. Protein denaturation assay showed IC50 value of 21.19μg/mL and 19.53μg/mL in protease inhibitor activity. MIC assay revealed antimicrobial potential of CCEO against microbial strains B. cereus at 2.00mg/mL, S. typhimurium at 4.50mg/mL, S. mutans at 2.50mg/mL, C. albicans at 4.00mg/mL, and S. cerevisiae at 4.50mg/mL concentrations. Mitotic index value (MI) of CCEO showed negligible genotoxicity with MI 17.25% close to distilled water 18.22%. Acetylcholinesterase strong inhibitory activity of CCEO was observed from IC50 =6.335μg/mL. CCEO could be a cheap and easy source for the extraction of the pure compound eucalyptol and possess various biological activities which increase its pharmacological value as well as its applicability in the field of flavor and fragrance industries. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Eucalyptol is the major component of many pharmaceutical and food/flavor industries. The present investigation provides a new source for the isolation of pure compound eucalyptol in cost-effective way. Additionally, the essential oil could also be used for the pharmaceutical formulation of antioxidant, inflammation inhibitory, and neurodegenerative inhibitory drug preparation under the safety range concentration.

Binding of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil and its major compounds to double-stranded DNA: In silico and in vitro studies

Cancer is considered the second leading cause of death in the world. DNA is one of the most important targets in designing anticancer drugs. Changing the gene expression by sequence-specific DNA binders is a rational approach to combat cancer. We evaluated the interaction profiles of aerial part and seed essential oils of Foeniculum vulgare, anethole, and limonene with DNA using in vitro and silico methods. The antioxidant activity of the seed essential oil (IC50 = 5.58 ± 0.53 mg/ml) was higher than the aerial part essential oil (IC50 = 15.6 ± 0.06 mg/ml). The Ka of aerial part essential oil to DNA was more than the seed essential oil. Anethole showed more affinity to DNA compared to d-limonene. Molecular modeling studies showed that anethole formed more stable and stronger interactions with both GC and AT-rich DNA strands than limonene. Anethole demonstrated insignificant selectivity toward the AT-rich DNA strand.

GC/MS analysis and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Telekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg

Telekia speciosa (Schreb.) Baumg., Asteraceae, is widespread in Eastern and Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. Previous phytochemical investigations have revealed T. speciosa as a rich source of sesquiterpene lactone -isoalantolactone, especially in its underground parts. The aim of the present study was to analyze the essential oils from aerial and underground parts of T. speciosa and investigate their antimicrobial activity. Chemical composition of essential oils was determined by GC-FID/MS method leading to the identification of 67 compounds in total, with 15.77 % oxygenated monoterpenes, 7.77 % sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 49.14 % oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and 12.37 % other compounds from aerial parts, and 3.80 % oxygenated monoterpenes, 3.13 % sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, 90.33 % oxygenated sesquiterpenes from underground parts essential oil. The main components from aerial parts were (E)-nerolidol (11.54 %) and caryophyllene oxide (10.54 %), while isoalantolactone was the predominant component from essential oil underground parts (83.41 %). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration of the essential oils were evaluated against six strains of bacteria and two strains of fungus using in vitro microdilution method. Both oils presented antimicrobial properties against pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacilus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Inhibition of growth of tested microorganisms by T. speciosa underground parts essential oil was achieved with MICs ranging from 1.0 to 11.0 mg mL -1 , while MICs of aerial parts essential oil varied from 4.0 to 30.0 mg mL -1 . The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of antimicrobial properties of T. speciosa, which support traditional uses underground parts of the plant.

Artemisia biennis Willd.: Anti-Nociceptive effects and possible mechanisms of action

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Artemisia biennis Willd. (Dermane in Persian) has been used as an antinociceptive remedy in Iranian folkloric medicine. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effects of Artemisia biennis Willd. aerial part essential oil (ABAEO) on male Swiss mice. Materials and methodsNociceptive pain techniques including acetic acid-induced writhing (AAIW), formalin-induced paw licking (FPL), glutamate-induced paw licking (GPL), and tail-flick (TF) models were applied. We assessed opioid and L-arginine-NO-cGMP-KATP pathways to detect the possible anti-nociceptive properties of ABAEO. In addition, neuropathic pain was induced by the cervical spinal cord contusion model. ResultsABAEO (120 mg/kg) had a significant anti-nociceptive activities in comparison to the control animals (p < 0.05) in the AAIW, TF, GPL, and FPL assays. The selective opioid antagonist (naloxonazine) administration in the AAIW test alleviated the anti-nociceptive effect of ABAEO (p < 0.05). L-arginine, methylene blue, and glibenclamide treatment prevented the ABAEO anti-nociceptive effects (p < 0.05); however, sodium nitroprusside could profoundly potentiate the ABAEO-associated antinociception in the FPL (phase II) test (p < 0.05). In nociceptive pain models, Cr (one of the main constituents of ABAEO) showed significant anti-nociceptive effects (p < 0.05). Moreover, the von Frey results indicated that ABAEO could attenuate mechanical allodynia in mice. ConclusionOur observation revealed the anti-nociceptive effects of ABAEO in male mice. These effects could include, at least in part, modulating glutamatergic mechanisms via opioid systems. Our data output also indicates activating the L-arginine-NO-cGMP-KATP system in ABAEO anti-nociceptive activities.

North-East Indian Chromolaena odorata (L. King Robinson) Aerial Part Essential Oil Chemical Composition, Pharmacological Activities - Neurodegenerative Inhibitory and Toxicity Study

Current study was formulated to analyze the chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and toxicology study of Chromolaena odorata aerial part essential oil (COEO) grown in North East India. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy was used for chemical composition analysis. The antioxidative potential was tested using DPPH and reducing power assays. Protein denaturation and protease inhibitor assays for anti-inflammatory activity and Allium cepa assay were used to test the genotoxicity of the essential oil. Standard disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory assays (MIC) were employed to test the antimicrobial efficacy of COEO and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory assay was used for anticholinesterase activity. GC/MS analysis revealed Geijerene (26.34 %), α-Copaene (17.87 %), Caryophyllene (11.14 %), 3-Carene (10.63 %), Cadinene (7.98 %), Cyclohexane, 1-Methylene-4-(1-methylethenyl)-(3.37 %), Elemol (2.89 %), τ-Muurolol (2.77 %), as major components. Standard DPPH, protein denaturation, and protease inhibitor assays revealed (IC50= 15.88 μg/mL, 19.35 μg/mL, and 27.28 μg/mL respectively) strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory potential of COEO. Allium cepa assay showed negative genotoxicity with (mitotic index) MI=16.38 %, which is close to distilled water MI=19.20 %. While disc diffusion assay (zone of inhibition for B.cereus 16.56 ± 0.002 mm; S. aureus 14.20 ± 0.057 mm; S. cerevisiae 10.67 ± 0.015 mm; A. fumigatus 10.15 ± 0.05 mm) and MIC (B. subtilis, S. aureus 2.50 μL/mL), showed the antimicrobial potential of COEO. Strong AChE inhibitory activity was observed with an IC50 value of 61.98 μg/mL. From all the results obtained it is clear that COEO could be used for future research, development, and in preparation of cost-effective pharmacologically important herbal drugs after proper validations.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from the aerial parts of Plantago afra L. (Plantaginaceae) growing wild in Tunisia

Medicinal and aromatic plants are garnering an increasing interest in industry, academia and health sciences. In passing from plant production to the bioactive product used by Human, many research studies are involved. The current research aimed to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of the essential oil extracted from the black psyllium (Plantago afra L.). The aerial parts essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and flame ionization detection (GC-FID), whereas the microdilution technique was developed to evaluate its antimicrobial efficacy. The main identified constituents were thymol (14.3%), 3-[4-(t-Butyl) phenyl] furan-2,5‑dione (12.7%), palmitic acid (8.9%) and eudesmane (4.7%). The antimicrobial activities were assessed against five standard bacterial strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Salmonella enterica (CIP 8039), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) along with the yeast Candida albicans (ATCC 30031). The results demonstrated that the effective Plantago afra essential oil could be potentially utilised in controlling some phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria.

Identification of non-alkaloid natural compounds of Angelica purpurascens (Avé-Lall.) Gilli. (Apiaceae) with cholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase inhibition potential

In current study is done antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes I and II inhibition assays, screening of biological active compounds and electronic microscopy analysis of secretory canals of fruits, flowers, roots, and aerial parts extracts and essential oils of Angelica purpurascens. Phenolic constituents, antioxidant, and anti-lipid peroxidation potentials of variants were estimated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) processes. Cholinesterase inhibition effect was detected through Ellman’s method. The GC/ Mass Spectrometry (MS) and gas chromatography (GC)-flame Ionization Detector (FID) was used for essential oils analysis. NMR techniques was used for identification of the isolated compounds. The fruit hexane and dichloromethane fractions exhibited a greater antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. The dichloromethane fraction of fruit demonstrated the most higher acetylcholinesterase inhibition (39.86 ± 2.63%), while the fruit hexane fraction displayed the best inhibition towards butyrylcholinesterase (84.02 ± 1.28%). Cytosolic isoenzymes of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I, and II isoenzymes were influentially suppressed by flower and fruit dichloromethane fractions with 1.650 and 2.020 µM IC50 values, respectively. The electronic microscopy analysis of secretory canals found that the small number of secretory canals were at leaf while the largest shape of secretory canals was at the fruit. The secretory canals of roots, aerial parts, and fruits include more monoterpene hydrocarbons, while the canals, existing in the flowers are qualified by a higher presence of sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene (12.1%), germacrene D (4.5%) and ether octyl acetate (11.9%). The highest level of monoterpene β-phellandrene (47.6%) and limonene (8.2%) were found in the fruit essential oil. The next isolated compounds from fruits of A. purpurascens like stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, bergapten, and oxypeucedanin have shown high anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities.