Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Psammogeton canescens

This study is outlined to probe the chemical composition of essential oil and in vitro antioxidant activity of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Psammogeton canescens. The chemical composition of the hydrodistilled essential oil of the aerial parts of P. canescens was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main constituents of the oil were found to be β-bisabolene (33.35%), apiole (28.34%), α-pinene (11.86%) and dill apiole (8.17%). Antioxidant activities of the samples were determined by three various testing systems namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and reducing power assay. In DPPH system, the highest radical-scavenging activity was seen by the polar subfraction of methanol extract (49.5 ± 1.21 μg/ml). Furthermore, in the second case the inhibition capacity (%) of the polar subfraction (92.40% ± 0.72) found to be the stronger one. However, in the reducing power assay, a reverse activity pattern more than in the first two systems was observed, and the essential oil was stronger radical reducer than was the methanol extract in all of the concentration tested. Our findings demonstrate that the essential oil and methanol extracts of P. canescens possess significant antioxidant activities and may be suggested as a new potential source of natural antioxidant.     

Antioxidant and antidermatophytic activities of essential oil and extracts of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu

This study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant and antidermatophytic potential of the essential oil and extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The free radical scavenging activities of the oil and ethyl acetate extract were found to be superior (IC₅₀ = 9.1 and 14.24 μg/ml, respectively) as compared to butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA), (IC₅₀ = 18.27 μg/ml). Also the ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest phenolic contents (93.26 mg/g of dry wt) as compared to the other extracts. Further, oil (1250 μg/disc) and extracts (1750 μg/disc) revealed 35.33–67.66 and 18.0–53.3% antidermatophytic effect, respectively, along with their respective MIC values (62.5–500 and 250–4000 μg/ml) against Trichophyton rubrum KCTC 6345, T. rubrum KCTC 6375, T. rubrum KCTC 6352, T. mentagrophytes KCTC 6085, T. mentagrophytes KCTC 6077, T. mentagrophytes KCTC 6316, Microsporum canis KCTC 6591, M. canis KCTC 6348 and M. canis KCTC 6349. The oil also had a strong detrimental effect on spore germination as well as concentration and time-dependent kinetic inhibition of M. canis KCTC 6591.     

Antioxidant and antilisterial effect of seed essential oil and organic extracts from Zizyphus jujuba

Hydrodistilled volatile oil from the seeds of Zizyphus jujuba was analyzed by GC–MS. Twenty three compounds representing 91.59% of the total oil was identified. The oil and organic extracts revealed a great potential of antilisterial effect against all five strains of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111, 19116, 19118, 19166 and 15313. Also the oil had strong detrimental effect on the viable count of the tested bacteria. The samples were also subjected to screening for the antioxidant activity by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals scavenging activities assay. In the first case, the IC₅₀ value of the Z. jujuba essential oil was determined to be 5.21 ± 0.01 μg/ml. Among the extracts, the strongest activity was exhibited by the methanol extract with an IC₅₀ value of 20.44 ± 0.18 μg/ml. In the superoxide radicals scavenging activities assay, methanol extract was superior to all other extracts (IC₅₀ = 18.60 ± 0.3 μg/ml). Furthermore, the amount of total phenolic compounds was determined. The results indicate that the essential oil and extracts of Z. jujuba could serve as natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents for the food industry.     

Chemical compositions,antifungal and antioxidant activities of essential oil and various extracts of Melodorum fruticosum L. flowers

This research presents the chemical composition antifungal and antioxidant activities of essential oils and various extracts from Melodorum fruticosum flowers. The essential oil composition of M. fruticosum flowers were investigated by GC–MS with 88 identified volatile constituents. Phenyl butanone, linalool, benzyl alcohol, α-cadinol, globulol and viridiflorol were found to be the major components, respectively. The dichloromethane extract played a major role as a remarkable fungicide according to their inhibition action against all tested pathogens followed by hexane extract, essential oil and methanol extract, respectively, along with their respective MIC values ranging from 125 to 1000 μg/ml. The dichloromethane extracts were also evaluated to be superior to all extracts tested with an IC₅₀ value of 87.6 μg/ml whereas other extracts showed their IC₅₀ values ranging from 100.13 to 194.50 μg/ml.     

Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the essential oil of Salvia lanigera from Cyprus

The essential oil of aerial parts of Salvia lanigera Poir. (Lamiaceae) growing wild in Cyprus was obtained by hydrodistillation and was analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 67 compounds, representing 93.6% of the oil, were identified, and the major components were showed to be thymol (12.1%), hexadecanoic acid (6.0%), carvacrol and α-thujone (5.7%). The essential oil was assayed for its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Antimicrobial activity of the oil, evaluated using the broth dilution method, resulted higher against Gram-positive bacteria than the other referenced strains tested. Antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by using DPPH and FRAP methods together with three antioxidant standards, l-ascorbic acid, tert-butyl-4-hydroxy toluene (BHT) and gallic acid. The activity of the sample in both methods was higher than that of all of standards used at the same dose.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils and solvent extracts of Ptychotis verticillata from Morocco

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of the essential oil and extracts of Ptychotis verticillata. The antioxidative activities of this species were also evaluated to suggest it as a new potential source of natural antioxidants. Analysis of the chemical composition of P. verticillata essential oil from Morocco was carried out using GC and GC-MS. The oil was dominated by phenolic compounds (48.0%) with carvacrol (44.6%) and thymol (3.4%) as the main compounds. Plant phenolics constitute one of the major groups of components that act as primary antioxidant free radical terminators. The amounts of total phenolics and flavonoids in the solvent extracts (diethyl ether and ethyl acetate) were determined spectrometrically. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of the essential oil and extracts were determined using a DPPH test system. The DPPH scavenging activity of extracts increased in the order ethyl acetate > ascorbic acid > diethyl ether > essential oil. Finally, a relationship was observed between the antioxidant activity potential and total phenolic and flavonoid levels of the extract.     

Hair growth promoting effect of Zizyphus jujuba essential oil

This study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of essential oil from seeds of Zizyphus jujuba for its potential role on hair growth by in vivo method. Essential oil was applied at different concentrations (0.1%, 1% and 10%) over the shaved skin onto the backs of BALB/c mice and monitored for 21 days. After 21 days, mice treated with 1% and 10% of oil produced a greater effect on the length of hair which were measured to be 9.96 and 10.02 mm, respectively, as compared to the control (8.94 mm). We measured the weight of hair/cm² area of dorsal skin and also evaluated hair thickness and hair follicles microscopically after plucking the hair immediately from the shaved area of mice and found the best results for 1% of essential oil-treated mice. From this study, it is concluded that Z. jujuba essential oil possesses hair growth promoting activity.     

Antioxidant activities of the essential oils and methanol extracts from myrtle (Myrtus communis var. italica L.) leaf,stem and flower

This study was designed to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils and methanol extracts of Myrtus communis var. italica L. leaf, stem and flower. Myrtle leaf and flower were the valuable organs for the essential oil production representing a yield of 0.61% and 0.30% (w/w), respectively. The essential oil composition of myrtle leaf and flower was characterized by high proportions of α-pinene, the main compound of monoterpene hydrocarbon class, with 58.05% for leaf and 17.53% for flower. Stem was rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, largely due to 1,8-cineole with 32.84%. The total phenol contents varied between different myrtle parts; leaf extract had higher total phenol content (33.67 mg GAE/g) than flower (15.70 mg GAE/g) and stem (11.11 mg GAE/g) extracts. Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among different myrtle parts, representing 26.55 mg GAE/g in leaf, 11.95 mg GAE/g in flower, 3.33 mg GAE/g in stem. The highest contents of total flavonoids and condensed tannins were observed in stem (5.17 and 1.99 mg CE/g, respectively) and leaf (3 and 1.22 mg CE/g, respectively) extracts. The HPLC analysis indicated that the main phenolic class was hydrolysable tannins (gallotannins) in leaf (79.39%, 8.90 mg/g) and flower (60.00%, 3.50 mg/g) while the stem was characterized by the predominance of flavonoid class (61.38%, 1.86 mg/g) due to the high presence of catechin (36.91%, 1.12 mg/g). Antioxidant activities of the essential oil and the methanolic extract from different myrtle parts were evaluated by using DPPH radical scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching, reducing power and metal chelating activity assays. In all tests, methanolic extracts of different myrtle parts showed better antioxidant activity than essential oils.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of seed essential oil from Zizyphus jujuba

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of essential oil from seeds of Zizyphus jujuba on TPA-induced skin inflammation in experimental mice. Exposure of TPA on the ear of the BALB/c mice caused a marked increase in both ear thickness and skin water content. The ear thickness was measured for TPA-induced ear was 0.54 mm, as compared to control (0.23 mm). Treatment with 1% and 10% of essential oil caused significant decrease in ear thicknesses which were measured to be 0.30 and 0.35 mm, as well as reduce the water content about 51% and 53% in the TPA-induced skin inflammation model, respectively. Furthermore, histological analysis clearly confirmed that Z. jujuba essential oil inhibited the inflammatory responses of skin inflammation in animal model. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that the essential oil of Z. jujuba seeds might accelerate the development of new drugs for various inflammatory diseases.     

Antioxidant and antidermatophytic activities of essential oil and extracts of Magnolia liliflora Desr.

This study was carried out to assess the antioxidant and antidermatophytic activities of the essential oil and extracts of Magnolia liliflora Desr. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The free radical scavenging activities of the oil and ethyl acetate extract were found to be superior (IC₅₀ values = 10.11 and 16.17 μg/ml, respectively) as compared to butylatedhydreoxyanisole (BHA), (IC₅₀ value = 18.27 μg/ml). Also the ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest phenolic contents (96.13 mg/g of dry wt) as compared to the other extracts. Further, the oil (1000 μg/disc) and extracts (1500 μg/disc) revealed 42.36–63.12% and 19.07–54.14% antidermatophytic effect, respectively along with their respective MIC values ranging from 62.5 to 500 and 250 to 2000 μg/ml against the members of Trichophyton and Microsporum spp. Also the oil had strong detrimental effect on spore germination of tested fungal pathogens as well as concentration and time dependent kinetic inhibition of Microsporum canis KCTC 6348. The results of this study justify a potential role of M. liliflora to serve as a natural antioxidant and antidermatophytic agent.     

Composition,antimicrobial activity and in vitro cytotoxicity of essential oil from Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (Lauraceae)

The essential oil from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume was analyzed by GC–MS and bioassays were carried out. Nine constituents representing 99.24% of the oil were identified by GC–MS. The major compounds in the oil were (E)-cinnamaldehyde (68.95%), benzaldehyde (9.94%) and (E)-cinnamyl acetate (7.44%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was investigated in order to evaluate its efficacy against 21 bacteria and 4 Candida species, using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The essential oil showed strong antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms tested. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the essential oil on ras active (5RP7) and normal (F2408) fibroblasts were examined by MTT assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the oil was quite strong with IC₅₀ values less than 20 μg/mL for both cell lines. 5RP7 cells were affected stronger than normal cells. Morphological observation of apoptotic cells indicated the induction of apoptosis at the high level of the oil, especially in 5RP7 cells. The present study showed the potential antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties of the essential oil of cinnamon bark, indicating the possibilities of its potential use in the formula of natural remedies for the topical treatment of infections and neoplasms.     

Chemical composition,antibacterial and antioxidant activities of leaf essential oil and extracts of Metasequioa glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu

The aims of this study were to analyze the chemical composition of leaf essential oil of Metasequioa glyptostroboides Miki, and to test the efficacy of oil and extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) against food spoilage and food-borne pathogenic bacteria and their antioxidant activity. The GC–MS analysis revealed 49 compounds representing 94.62% of the total oil containing 2-butaneone (30.6%), cyclopentane (15.1%), β-myrcene (13.29%), cyclobutane (7.67%), furan (3%), valeramide (2.81%), borneol (1.2%), β-farnesene (1.67%), thymol (1.44%) and α-pinene (1.46%) as major components. The oil (1000 μg/disc), and extracts (1500 μg/disc) exhibited promising antibacterial effect as a diameter of zones of inhibition (10–18 and 7–13 mm), respectively. MIC values of oil and the extracts were ranged 125–2000 and 250 to <2000 μg/ml, respectively. Also the oil had strong antibacterial effect on the viable counts. Scanning electron microscopic study demonstrated potential detrimental effect of the oil on the morphology of S. aureus KCTC1916. The free radical scavenging activities of the oil and ethyl acetate extract were found to be 11.32 and 19.12 μg/ml, respectively. Also the ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest phenolic contents (85.17 mg/g of dry wt) as compared to the other extracts.     

Essential oil of the leaves of Eugenia uniflora L.: Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Essential oil (EO) of the leaves of Eugenia uniflora L. (Brazilian cherry tree) was evaluated for its antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. The acute toxicity of the EO administered by oral route was also evaluated in mice. The EO exhibited antioxidant activity in the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays and reduced lipid peroxidation in the kidney of mice. The EO also showed antimicrobial activity against two important pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, and against two fungi of the Candida species, C. lipolytica and C. guilliermondii. Acute administration of the EO by the oral route did not cause lethality or toxicological effects in mice. These findings suggest that the EO of the leaves of E. uniflora may have the potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry.     

Essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil from leaves of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. was analysed by GC–MS. Twenty-three compounds representing 94.29% of the total oil were identified. The antioxidant activities of the oil and various extracts of C. aromatica were evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical-scavenging assays. The oil and methanol extract showed potent DPPH radical-scavenging activities (IC₅₀ = 14.45 and 16.58 μg/ml, respectively), which were higher than butylated hydroxyanisole (IC₅₀ = 18.27 μg/ml). The extracts also exhibited remarkable superoxide radical-scavenging activities (IC₅₀ = 22.6–45.27 μg/ml) and the activity in the methanol extract was superior to all other extracts (IC₅₀ = 22.6 μg/ml). Furthermore, the amount of total phenolic compounds was determined and its content in ethyl acetate extract was the highest as compared to other extracts. The results indicate that the oil and extracts of C. aromatica could serve as an important bio-resource of antioxidants for using in the food industries.     

Synergistic effect of nisin and cone essential oil of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu against Listeria monocytogenes in milk samples

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of nisin and cone essential oil of Metasequoia glyptostroboides against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19116 inoculated in whole (8%), low (1%) and skim (no fat content) milks. Essential oil at the concentrations of 2% and 5% revealed strong antilisterial effect against L. monocytogenes ATCC 19116 in all categories of milks. Nisin at the concentrations of 250 and 500 IU/ml displayed a remarkable antilisterial effect as compared to the control group. Also, the synergistic combinations of cone essential oil (1% and 2%) and nisin (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 IU/ml) had a remarkable antilisterial activity in all categories of whole, low and skim milks after 14 days. Results of this study indicate that the cone essential oil of M. glyptostroboides might be a useful candidate for using in food industry to control the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant properties of Cyclotrichium niveum, Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus, Echinacea purpurea and E. pallida

The dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of Cyclotrichium niveum (CN) and Thymus praecox subsp. caucasicus var. caucasicus (TP), Echinacea purpurea (EPU), and E. pallida (EPA) along with the essential oils of CN and TP were assessed for their anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antioxidant activities. AChE inhibition was estimated using spectrophotometric method of Ellman. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferrous ion-chelating power tests. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of CN and TP were also tested. CN essential oil was found to contain isomenthone (56.21%) and pulegone (19.76%). The ethyl acetate (83.11–87.98%) and dichloromethane (73.45–84.02%) extracts of CN showed the highest AChE inhibition. The ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of TP exerted significant DPPH scavenger effect. The water extracts of CN and TP and the chloroform extract of the aerial parts of EPU displayed the highest ferrous ion-chelating effect. The leaf and flower essential oils of TP had the best FRAP.     

Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oil from Gnaphlium affine

The chemical composition of the essential oil from Gnaphlium affine was determined, and its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were evaluated. Twenty-four compounds, representing 94.95% of the amount of total oil, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Main constituents of the essential oil were found to be eugenol (18.24%), linalool (10.62%), trans-caryophyllene (8.86%), α-terpineol (5.97%), p-cymene (5.75%), hexadecanoic acid (5.63%), γ-cadinene (4.98%), δ-cadinene (4.22%), α-humulene (3.22%), and (−)-β-elemene (3.15%). The essential oil revealed a remarkable antimicrobial effect against the tested food-borne microorganisms with the MIC and MBC values in the ranges of 0.2-1.56 μg/ml and 0.39-3.13 μg/ml, respectively. The essential oil showed a potent antioxidant activity in ABTS radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and reducing power assay. It was suggested that the essential oil from G. affine may be a new potential source as natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents applied in food systems.     

鹅掌柴叶挥发油的成分分析及抗炎镇痛活性

目的 探讨鹅掌柴新鲜叶挥发油的化学成分及其抗炎镇痛作用。 方法 采用水蒸气蒸馏法得到鹅掌柴叶挥发油(SOLEO),用气相色谱-质谱联用技术(GC-MS)进行SOLEO成分的定性定量分析,并用醋酸扭体法、二甲苯致小鼠耳郭肿胀法两种模型评价SOLEO的抗炎镇痛活性。 结果 GC-MS法测出SOLEO中55个组分,其中组分1~16共占84.28%,为SOLEO的主要成分。4-萜品醇、(-)-斯巴醇、氧化石竹烯、芳樟醇4种成分占总含量的51.86%。SOLEO可明显减少醋酸所致小鼠的扭体次数,可明显缓解二甲苯所致小鼠的耳郭肿胀程度,SOLEO经灌胃给药10 g生药/(kg.d)剂量组的抑制率分别为52.5 %和59.6 %。 结论 SOLEO为鹅掌柴抗炎镇痛药理作用的活性成分之一,为民间以鹅掌柴新鲜叶入药提供科学依据。     

Disinfectant properties of essential oils from Salvia officinalis L. cultivated in Tunisia

The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation of the aerial part of Salvia officinalis L. cultivated in Sfax gardens, Tunisia. The obtained oils were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and 44 compounds were identified. Strong bactericidal and fungicidal effects were shown using the NCCLS broth dilution, EN 1275 and EN 1276 standard methods. The minimal cidal concentrations (MCCs) values ranged from 0.031 to 0.25 μL mL⁻¹. The essential oils concentrations of 0.5% and 1% (v/v) resulted in a reduction in viability higher than 5 and 4 log units per mL for the standard bacteria and fungi, respectively, within a contact time of 5 min. Using an air sampler and an aroma dispenser, vaporisation of 0.25 mL m⁻³ of S. officinalis essential oils resulted in (72%, 73% and 70%) and (54%, 55% and 55%) reduction of the total microbial count and the total count of yeasts and moulds, after a residence time of 1 h, 6 h and 24 h in a selected testing room, respectively. S. officinalis essential oils showed a potent vapour activity against a panel of bacteria, yeasts and fungi. This supported their use as a natural eco-friendly disinfectant to manage airborne microbes.