Monoterpenes in the essential oil of Origanum majorana

The essential oil of Origanum majorana L. plants, wild growing in Turkey, was investigated by means of LSC and GLC. The oil contained about 65% carvacrol and 4% thymol.     

Free radical scavenging and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of Origanum majorana L. essential oil

In the present study, Origanum majorana L. essential oil (EO) was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and evaluated for free radical scavenging and anticholinesterase activities. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 4-terpineol (29.97%), γ-terpinene (15.40%), trans-sabinene hydrate (10.93), α-terpinene (6.86%), 3-cycolohexene-1-1 methanal,a,a4-trimethyl-,(S)-(CAS) (6.54%), and sabinene (3.91%) as main constituents. Origanum majorana L. EO exhibited concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on 2,2'-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH(?)), hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, reducing power, and lipid peroxidation with IC(50) values of 58.67, 67.11, 91.25, 78.67, and 68.75 μg/mL, respectively; while the IC(50) values for the standard trolox were noted to be 23.95, 44.97, 51.30, 42.22, and 52.72 μg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, cholinesterase inhibitory activity was also found with IC(50) values of 36.40 μg/mL. We can conclude that the marjoram EO has a significant potential to be used as a natural antioxidant and anti-AChE.     

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Origanum virens on Candida species

The composition and the antifungal activity of the essential oil of Origanum virens on Candida species were studied. The essential oil was obtained from the aerial parts of the plant by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The oil was characterized by its high content of carvacrol (68.1 %) and its biogenetic precursors, gamma-terpinene (9.9 %) and p-cymene (4.5 %). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal lethal concentration (MLC) were used to evaluate the antifungal activity against Candida strains (7 clinical isolates and 3 ATCC type strains). The inhibition of germ tube formation and flow cytometry, using the fluorescent probe propidium iodide (PI), were used to evaluate their mechanisms of action. MIC and MLC values were similar for most tested strains, ranging from 0.16 to 0.32 microL/mL. Concentrations lower than MIC values strongly prevent germ tube formation. The fungicidal effect is primarily due to an extensive lesion of the membrane.     

The essential oil of Ducrosia anethifolia (DC.) Boiss

The essential oil from herb ofDucrosia anethifolia (DC.) Boiss., growing wild in Iran, was investigated by LSC, GLC and GC-MS. The oil consisted mainly of aliphatic compounds. α-Pinene, myrcene and limonene were main components of the hydrocarbons present in the oil, whilen-decanal,n-dodecanal,n-decanol,trans-2-dodecenal, andcis-chrysanthenyl acetate were the major oxygen-containing constituents. The oil and the main oxygen-containing aliphatic components showed a remarkable antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria, a yeast, and some dermatophytes.     

Culture conditions and salt effects on essential oil composition of sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) from Tunisia

O. majorana shoots were investigated for their essential oil (EO) composition. Two experiments were carried out; the first on hydroponic medium in a culture chamber and the second on inert sand in a greenhouse for 20 days. Plants were cultivated for 17 days in hydroponic medium supplemented with NaCl 100 mmol L(-1). The results showed that the O. majorana hydroponic medium offered higher essential oil yield than that from the greenhouse. The latter increased significantly in yield (by 50 %) under saline constraint while it did not change in the culture chamber. Under greenhouse conditions and in the absence of salt treatment, the major constituents were terpinen-4-ol and trans-sabinene hydrate. However, in the culture chamber, the major volatile components were cis-sabinene hydrate and terpinen-4-ol. In the presence of NaCl, new compounds appeared, such as eicosane, spathulenol, eugenol, and phenol. In addition, in the greenhouse, with or without salt, a very important change of trans-sabinene hydrate concentration in EO occurred, whereas in the culture chamber change appeared in cis-sabinene hydrate content.     

Characterisation of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil encapsulates

Aim: The aim was to choose the optimal encapsulation system and to incorporate encapsulates loaded with essential oil into the ice cream as a model food product.

Methods: Ca-alginate beads were produced by electrostatic extrusion process. Gelatine/alginate coacervates were processed with coacervation. Carnauba wax microparticles were produced using melt dispersion process. Morphological properties, chemical, and thermal stabilities of encapsulates were tested by SEM, FTIR spectral, and thermogravimetric analysis.

Results: Alginate provided sufficient emulsion stability over 1?h. Ca-alginate showed higher encapsulation efficiency (EE) (98.4?±?4.3%) compared to carnauba wax (94.2?±?7.8%) and gelatine/alginate coacervates (13.2?±?1.2%). The presence of essential oil in all three types of encapsulates confirmed with FTIR. The encapsulation process ensured controlled release and thermal stability of the oil.

Conclusions: Ca-alginate matrix as the most suitable for peppermint essential oil encapsulation. The sensory analysis showed that ice cream incorporating encapsulates is a promising system for the consumption of health beneficial peppermint essential oil.     

Rapid,cost-effective and organic solvent-free production of biologically active essential oil from Mediterranean wild Origanum syriacum

BackgroundOriganum syriacum (O. syriacum) is a very popular edible and medicinal plant in the East Mediterranean countries. The aims of the current study were to use microwave-ultrasonic assisted hydrodistillation (MUAHD) method to produce essential oils (EOs) from wild O. syriacum samples collected from four different geographical areas in The West Bank using water as a solvent, determine the phytochemical profile using GC-MS analysis and assess their antioxidant and antibacterial potential.MethodsEssential oils were produced using MUAHD method. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS) was employed for phytochemical analysis. In vitro antibacterial and antioxidant potentials were carried out.ResultsDifferences in the EOs yield among the four Origanum samples were observed. GC-MS analysis of EOs revealed terpenes as the major constituents; monoterpenes (22–56%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (28–57%). Thymol, α-terpinene and carvacrol represent the bulk of all phytochemicals detected by GC-MS analysis. γ-Terpinene-rich EOs, exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Thymol-rich EOs were found to be most effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (MIC 390 µg/mL). Alpha-terpinene-rich chemotype EOs exhibited the highest inhibitory effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC of 1560 µg/mL). Interestingly, γ-terpinene-rich EO showed promising antibacterial properties against Enterococcus faecium (MIC 97 µg/mL) and a powerful anti-oxidant effect (91.45% ±2.30).ConclusionThe current study supports the use of MUAHD as a time-saving, cost-effective, environment-friendly method for production of high quality O. syriacum EO for potential use as a natural complementary treatment and in the prevention of bacterial infections as well as oxidation by free radicals without compromising the quantity.     

广东海风藤挥发油化学成分研究

用气相色谱－质谱法对广东海风藤药材挥发油进行化学成分分析，鉴定出了其中36个成分，并以归一化法测定了各个成分的百分含量。结果表明：广东习用海风藤药材和药典收载海风藤药材的挥发油化学成分有显著差别。     

Analysis of the essential oil of Origanum dubium growing wild in Cyprus. Investigation of its antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity

The volatile composition of Origanum dubium in two different maturation stages has been studied. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation in a modified Clevenger-type apparatus, and their analyses were performed by GC and GC-MS. Identification of the components was made by comparison of mass spectra and retention indices with literature records and by co-chromatography with authentic compounds. Carvacrol was shown to be the main constituent. The essential oils were evaluated for antimicrobial activity and proved to be active against all tested microorganisms. Furthermore, their potential antioxidant activity was investigated and found to be significant in scavenging O2-. The samples were further evaluated for inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase LOX and showed high inhibitory activity.     

阿尔泰狗哇花挥发油的气相色谱-质谱联用分析

目的分析植物阿尔泰狗哇花的精油成分。方法采用常规水蒸气蒸馏法提取精油，运用气相色谱质谱联用（GC-MS）对其成分进行分析，用气相色谱面积归一化法测定计算了各成分的相对百分含量。结果经GC-MS分析共分离出54个峰，鉴定出38种化合物，占总峰面积的91.7％。主成分为单萜和倍半萜，占挥发油检出成分的73．6％，其中含量较大的成分有大根香叶烯（20．1％）、石竹烯（7．29％）、1，1，4，7-四甲基-八氢化-1氢-环丙基工薁（7．18％）、β-蒎烯（5．40％）、β-水芹烯（3．77％）、苎烯（3．02％）。另外还含有乙酸乙酯（7．62％）、甲酸乙酯（3．65％）、斯巴醇（3．42％）等成分。结论阿尔泰狗哇花精油中含有多种药理活性成分，有综合开发利用的价值。     

牛至油及其主要成分对脂多糖诱导脓毒症小鼠心肌损伤的保护作用研究

目的研究牛至油及其化学成分香芹酚和麝香草酚对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的小鼠心肌损伤的保护作用。方法小鼠随机分为6组,分别为正常对照组、模型组、亚胺培南阳性药组、牛至油组、香芹酚组和麝香草酚组,灌胃给药,每日一次,连续7 d。末次给药后,除正常对照组外,其余各组腹腔注射10 mg·kg~(-1 )LPS诱导小鼠脓毒症心肌损伤。观察小鼠的一般活动情况、心功能、心肌结构变化、心肌酶、炎症细胞因子及氧化应激水平。结果与模型组相比,牛至油和香芹酚能显著改善LPS诱导的小鼠心功能降低,升高左室射血分数及左室短轴缩短率;HE结果显示模型组心肌坏死,炎性细胞浸润明显,心肌横纹消失,牛至油和香芹酚可减轻心肌组织损伤;牛至油和香芹酚显著降低血清中LDH及CK-MB释放,降低血清中炎性细胞因子TNF-α、IL-1β及IL-6水平,升高心脏组织抗氧化酶SOD含量,降低MDA含量及ROS的表达。麝香草酚对上述指标亦有改善作用,但差异无统计学意义。结论香芹酚与牛至油发挥了相近的抗炎及抗氧化应激作用,可减轻LPS诱导的心肌损伤,提示香芹酚是牛至油中保护脓毒症心肌损伤的主要成分。     

Analysis of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Psoralea pubescence (Miq.) Standl and its antibacterial activity

The essential oil from aerial parts of Psoralea pubescence (Miq.) Standl (Leguminoseae) was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectroscopy systems. The major components identified were psoralen (24.8%), bakuchiol (21.3%), β-caryophyllene (8.5%), germacrene D (6.8%), and α-humulene (4.6%). The major volatiles released by β-glucosidase treatment of the aqueous plant residue were δ-pinene (28.3%), germacrene D (13.6%), and tricyclene (10.2%). The oil showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while the β-glucosidase-liberated fraction was inactive.     

Origanum majorana essential oil improves the rat’s sexual behavior and testicular oxidative damage induced by imidacloprid via modulating the steroidogenesis pathways

The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid has been linked to significant reproductive damage in mammals. Origanum majorana essential oil (OME) is a natural herbal product used in the management of many diseases due to its strong antioxidant effects. The oil was hydrodistilled from O. Majorana and analyzed using GC/MS then its possible protective mechanisms against IMI-induced reprotoxicity in male rats were investigated. 28-adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups as follows: group (1) control group, group (2) OME, group (3) IMI, and group (4) IMI + OME. The treatments were applied daily via oral gavage for 60 days. Remarkable abnormalities in both territorial aggressive and sexual behaviors were observed in IMI-treated rats with a significant elevation of serum FSH and LH as well as altered testicular redox status. Along with inhibition of the testicular expression of StAR and aromatase genes and serum total testosterone in addition to abnormal sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology. Histopathological examination showed severe degeneration and necrosis in both germ cells and Leydig cells with atrophy in most of the seminiferous tubules. Co-administration of OME with IMI notably improved all the above-mentioned studied parameters, and restored rats’ spermatogenesis, sexual behavior, and favorably modulates the levels of both testosterone and gonadotropic hormones via its potent antioxidant effect. These findings support the use of OME as a fertility enhancer and suggest that it could be used to manage pesticide-induced male infertility.