Composition and Bioactivities of the Leaf Essential Oils ofCinnamomum subaveniumMiq. from Taiwan

Chemical Composition, in Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Different Parts Essential Oils of Neolitsea sericea var. aurata From Taiwan

This study examined the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils isolated from the leaves, twigs, and fruits of Neolitsea sericea var. aurata from Taiwan. The major compounds responsible for antimicrobial activity were isolated and identified. The leaf, twig, and fruit essential oils were obtained through hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus and were characterized through gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major compounds were ( E)-β-ocimene (49.3%) and sericenine (31.6%) in the leaf oil; ( E)-β-ocimene (73.7%), α-cadinol (6.8%), and α-muurolol (4.0%) in the twig oil; and ( E)-β-ocimene (84.7%) in the fruit oil. The twig oil exhibited the strongest antibacterial and antifungal activities. We isolated α-cadinol and α-muurolol, the main components of NTO4 fraction, and used them in antimicrobial tests; the two compounds exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities. The twig essential oil contains α-cadinol and α-muurolol and exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities against food-borne pathogens; thus, they are worthy of further research and development.

Antimicrobial and synergistic effect of Moroccan native Argania spinosa essential oil for modulating of antibiotics resistance

In this study, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil (EO) extracted from leaves of the Moroccan endemic plant Argania spinosa were investigated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. In addition, the EO antimicrobial activity was evaluated in combination with two known antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and fluconazole), in order to ascertain possible synergistic effects. The chemical composition analyzed by GC/MS showed that A. spinosa EO was characterised by the abundance of geranyl acetate (19.18%), methyleugenol (10.98%), linalyl acetate (10.59%) and eucalyptol (8.49%), and monoterpene hydrocarbons was the major class. EO showed an antimicrobial potential against all tested microorganisms. The highest activity was recorded against Gram positive bacteria and yeasts with MICs ranging from 7.75 to 15.5 mg/mL and from 3.88 to 7.75 mg/mL, respectively. The Gram negative bacteria were the most resistant with MICs of 31 mg/mL. The mixture of EO at sub-inhibitory concentrations with conventional drugs exhibited a significant decrease in their individual MICs from 4 to 32 fold. The highest level of synergy was observed for ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Despite the antimicrobial activity of A. spinosa EO is weak, the results of the current study suggest a potential synergy between EO and antibiotics in the goal to modulate drug resistance.

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Leaf Oil from Cinnamomum subavenium In Vitro and In Vivo

The study determined the chemical constituents and anti-inflammatory effects of leaf oil from Cinnamomum subavenium (CS-LO) that has been used in folk medicine to treat various symptoms including inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of the oil were evaluated by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and the Carr-induced hind mouse paw edema model, respectively. In vitro, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly decreased by CS-LO, and the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) protein was blocked as well. In in vivo, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and paw edema levels were decreased by CS-LO, and the same result came up on the NO and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) of serum at the 5th h after Carr injection. In addition, iNOS and COX-2 immunoreactive cells of the paw tissue were decreased significantly by CS-LO (200 mg/kg) in histological examination. The present findings indicated that CS-LO have anti-inflammatory properties, and the effects might be caused through inhibiting iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression via affecting NF-κB pathway, which will provide a power scientific basis for CS-LO to be used as the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Screening of Chemical Composition, in vitro Antioxidant, α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of the Leaf Essential Oils of Cinnamomum wightii from Different Populations

Cnnamomum wightii is an endemic species of the Western Ghats, India and is used in Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine. Its bark and leaves are adulterated with commercial cinnamon in southern India. Despite its medicinal and commercial importance, the species remains underexplored. The objective of the present work was to screen the chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the leaf essential oil of C. wightii collected from different populations. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses of the leaf essential oils from seven accessions enabled the identification of a total of 70 constituents, of which only 16 compounds were present in all samples. Eleven major constituents (> 5%) were identified, of which only linalool and spathulenol were present in all accessions as major constituents. Among seven accessions, essential oil from Parson's valley, Nilgiris exhibited better antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 2.552 ± 0.13 and 3.485 ± 0.09 mg/mL for ABTS and DPPH respectively. The essential oil from Korakundah, Nilgiris showed better hypoglycemic activity with IC50 values of 1.617 ± 0.02 and 1.146 ± 0.02 mg/mL for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities respectively. The leaf essential oils of C. wightii may be used in nutraceutical products focusing diabetes mellitus as the moderate inhibition of the metabolic enzymes has the advantage of slow release of glucose.

Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activities of Essential Oils of Cinnamomum Griffithii and C. Macrocarpum

The essential oils of Cinnamomum griffithii and C. macrocarpum were analyzed by GC and GC–MS and evaluated for their antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities. The essential oils of leaf and bark of C. griffithii were characterized by the presence of 30 components, with methyl eugenol (38.5–43.8%) as the major component. A total of 11 components were characterized in the leaf and bark of C. macrocarpum essential oil with the most abundant component was safrole (54.5–59.5%). The bark oil of C. griffithii demonstrated significant activity on DPPH (IC50 73.4 μg/mL) and a high phenolic content (192.0%), while the leaf oil inhibited oxidation of β-carotene/linoleic acid with an inhibition value of 65.5 μg/mL. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition were assessed and the results showed that C. macrocarpum bark oil exhibited significant activity with inhibition values of 55.8% and 66.1%, respectively at a concentration of 1 mg/mL.

Dibenzocycloheptanoids from the leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium

Five dibenzocycloheptatrienes (1-3, 5, and 6) and one dibenzocycloheptadiene (8) together with 16 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Cinnamomum subavenium. Application of HPLC-SPE-NMR to a selected fraction afforded two additional dibenzocycloheptatrienes (4, 7). The glycosides 2-7 comprise two diastereomers because of the chiral glycosyl moiety and the axial chirality of the biphenyl system. Their structures were elucidated via ECD and 2D NMR analyses and chemical degradation. Subavenosides D (5) and E (6) showed moderate inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase type IV from Bacillus stearothermophilus with IC₅₀ values of 50.7 and 19.0 μM, respectively.

Review on pharmacological activities of Cinnamomum subavenium

This review describes the morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Cinnamomum subavenium (Lauraceae). The plant grows wild in southern Mainland China, Burma, Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia. This plant is recorded as having long been used to treat carcinomatous swelling, stomach ache, chest pain, abdominal pain, hernia, diarrhoea, rheumatism, nausea and vomiting. This article enumerates an overview of phytochemical and pharmacological aspects that is useful to researchers for further exploration for the necessary development of this potential herb.

Methyl eugenol: its occurrence, distribution, and role in nature, especially in relation to insect behavior and pollination

This review discusses the occurrence and distribution (within a plant) of methyl eugenol in different plant species (> 450) from 80 families spanning many plant orders, as well as various roles this chemical plays in nature, especially in the interactions between tephritid fruit flies and plants.

Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Leaf and Twig Essential Oils of Litsea Akoensis from Taiwan

This study analyzed the hydrodistilled essential oils in the leaves and twigs of Litsea akoensis to determine composition and yield. Seventy-one and 40 compounds were identified in the leaf and twig oils, respectively. The main components of leaf oil were limonene (18.5%), thymol (10.1%), p-cymene (9.6%), β-caryophyllene (8.9%), and carvacrol (8.2%). The main components of twig oil were β-phellandrene (43.7%) and trans-β-ocimene (10.4%). The results demonstrated that leaf oil had excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, superior to those of twig oil.

Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaf Essential Oil of Machilus kusanoi from Taiwan

The hydrodistillated leaf essential oil of Machilus kusanoi was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Twenty-three compounds were identified, the main components being β-caryophyllene (23.3%), β-eudesmol (17.1%), α-terpineol (16.0%), n-dodecanal (14.2%), and n-decanal (10.4%). Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (28.1%) and non-terpenoids (25.0%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The leaf oil exhibited excellent antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities.

Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Seed Essential Oil of Calocedrus formosana from Taiwan

The hydrodistillated seed essential oil of Calocedrus formosana was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Twenty-seven compounds were identified, the main ones being α-pinene (63.8%), totarol (9.9%) and ferruginol (8.9%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons (73.5%) and oxygenated diterpenes (18.8%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The seed essential oil exhibited excellent antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities.

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Leaf and Twig Oils of Litsea Mushaensis and L. linii from Taiwan

The hydrodistilled essential oils of the leaves and twigs of Litsea mushaensis and L. linii were analyzed. Sixty-nine and ninety compounds were identified in the leaf and twig oils, respectively, of L. mushaensis. The main components of the leaf oil were β-eudesmol (24.2%), τ-cadinol (10.2%), α-humulene (10.1%), α-pinene (9.7%), and trans-β-ocimene (6.5%), whereas the main components of the twig oil were trans-β-ocimene (19.5%), α-pinene (12.8%) and cis-β-ocimene (7.7%). With L. linii, 72 and 78 compounds were respectively identified in the leaf and twig oils. The main components of the leaf oil were β-selinene (15.7%), α-selinene (15.5%), β-caryophyllene (12.2%), α-humulene (7.2%), and δ-cadinene (5.6%), and of the twig oil trans-β-ocimene (20.8%), β-selinene (11.4%), α-cadinol (6.0%), δ-cadinene (5.8%), τ-cadinol (5.4%) and β-eudesmol (5.2%). L. mushaensis leaf oil was shown to have excellent antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activity, superior to the other oils.

Composition and Antimicrobial and Anti-wood-decay Fungal Activities of the Leaf Essential Oils of Machilus pseudolongifolia from Taiwan

The hydrodistillated leaf essential oil of Machilus pseudolongifolia was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Seventy compounds were identified, the main components being β-eudesmol (26.8%), α-cadinol (20.8%), viridiflorene (8.9%), α-caryophyllene (5.3%), globulol (4.6%) and β-caryophyllene (4.2%). Oxygenated sesquiterpenes (60.1%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (31.4%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The leaf oil exhibited excellent antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities.

Compositions and in vitro Anticancer activities of the Leaf and Fruit Oils of Litsea cubeba from Taiwan

The leaf and fruit essential oils of Litsea cubeba, extracted by hydrodistillation, were assessed for anticancer activities. A total of 53 and 50 compounds were identified, respectively from the leaf and fruit oils, and their yields were 13.9 ± 0.09% and 4.0 ± 0.03%, v/w, of the oven-dried materials, respectively. The main compound in the leaf oil was 1,8-cineol, and in the fruit oil, citral. The fruit oil, but not that of the leaf, exhibited cytotoxic activity against human lung, liver and oral cancer cells.

Composition and Anti-Wood-Decay Fungal Activities of the Leaf Essential oil of Machilus philippinensis from Taiwan

The hydrodistilled leaf essential oil of Machilus philippinensis was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Seventy compounds were identified, the main ones being β-caryophyllene (13.6%), α-pinene (12.0%), α-cadinol (7.4%), cis-ocimene (7.0%), spathulenol (5.6%), (E)-nerolidol (5.3%), tau-cadinol (4.8%) and β-pinene (4.5%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons (36.1%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (33.0%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The leaf oil exhibited excellent anti-wood-decay fungal activities.