Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil of Thymus algeriensis wild-growing in Libya

Abuelizz H, Lafdil FZ, Er-rahmani S, Lyoussi B, Derwich E. Coriandrum sativum L., essential oil as a promising source of bioactive compounds with GC/MS, antioxidant, antimicrobial activities: in vitro and in silico predictions

Introduction: Coriandrum sativum L. essential oil (CS-EO) is being evaluated in vitro for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and its volatile compounds are to be identified as part of this exploratory study. Methods: The processes underlying the in vitro biological properties were explained using in silico simulations, including drug-likeness prediction, molecular docking, and pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity-ADMET). Chemical screening of CS-EO was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Five in vitro complementary techniques were used to assess the antioxidant activity of CS-EO: reducing power (RP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, β-Carotene bleaching test (BCBT), and phosphomolybdenum assay (TAC). Results: According to GC-MS analysis, linalool (59.04%), γ-Terpinene (13.02%), and α-Pinene (6.83%) are the main constituents of CS-EO. Based on the in vitro antioxidant assay results, CS-EO has been found to have a superior antioxidant profile. Its estimated scavenging rates for ABTS+ are 0.51 ± 0.04 mg/mL, BCBT is 9.02 ± 0.01 mg/mL, and CS-EO is 1.52 ± 0.14 mg/mL. C. sativum demonstrated 6.13 ± 0.00 μg/mL for reducing power and 213.44 ± 0.45 mg AAE/mL for total antioxidant activity. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of CS-EO was assessed against five strains, including two gram-positive bacteria, two gram-negative bacteria, and one fungal strain (Candida albicans). Significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against all strains were found using the disc-diffusion assay, with zones of inhibition larger than 15 mm. The microdilution test highlighted the lowest MIC and MBC values with gram-positive bacteria, ranging from 0.0612 to 0.125% v/v for MIC and 0.125% v/v for MBC. The fungal strain's MFC was 1.0% v/v and its MIC was measured at 0.5%. Based on the MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios, CS-EO exhibits bactericidal and fungicidal activity. The ADMET study indicates that the primary CS-EO compounds are good candidates for the development of pharmaceutical drugs due to their favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Conclusion: These results point to a potential application of this plant as a natural remedy and offer empirical backing for its traditional uses. It is a promising environmentally friendly preservative that can be used extensively in the food and agricultural industries to prevent aflatoxin contamination and fungal growth in stored goods.

Unraveling the Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses, and Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut

Growing concern for public health has increased the need to change the paradigm towards a healthcare system that advocates holistic practices while reducing adverse effects. Herbal therapy is becoming an integral part of the therapeutic arsenal, and several successful plant-derived compounds/molecules are being introduced into the market. The medicinal plants belonging to the genus Thymus are among the most important species within the Lamiaceae family. One of them is Thymus algeriensis which is mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region. For a long time, this species has been used in traditional medicine to treat several disorders and diseases including inflammation, diabetes, rheumatism, digestive, and respiratory affections. This review describes the traditional uses, phytochemical composition, and biological and pharmacological activities of T. algeriensis extracts. Data were obtained using electronic databases such as SciFindern, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Several plant-based extracts and a broad spectrum of identified secondary metabolites were highlighted and discussed with respective activities and modes of action. T. algeriensis represents a promising natural resource for the pharmaceutical industry mainly for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Considering these findings, more research is needed to transmute the conventional uses of T. algeriensis into scientifically sound information. Moreover, extensive preclinical, clinical, toxicological, and pharmacokinetic trials on this species and its derivatives compounds are required to underpin the mechanisms of action and ensure its biosafety and efficiency. This comprehensive review provides a scientific basis for future investigations on the use of T. algeriensis and derived compounds in health maintenance and promotion and disease prevention.

Composition, Anticholinesterase and Antipedicular Activities of Satureja capitata L. Volatile Oil

The emergence of resistance for antipedicular agents and the need of potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) therapeutics for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer disease has led researchers to the exploration of new therapeutic alternatives such as natural volatile oils. Therefore, the current investigation aimed to identify the components of Satureja capitata L. volatile oil (VO), and examine the VO anticholinesterase, and antipedicular activities. The plant phytoconstituents were identified using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method, while the anticholinesterase activity was determined against butyryl- and acetyl-cholinesterase using Ellman’s method. In addition, antipedicular activity was established using the diffusion method. The obtained GC-MS results identified 16 compounds in S. capitata VO with the major constituents being carvacrol, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene. Anticholinesterase analysis showed a marked inhibition potential against acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase enzymes with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 28.24±0.97 μg/ml and 92.31±1.22 μg/ml, respectively in comparison with the reference compound galantamine, which has IC50 values against the same enzymes of 5.21±0.07 μg/ml and 10.33±0.37 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, the VO, at a concentration of 20%, was effective against head lice, similar to benzyl benzoate, which resulted in 100% mortality. In addition, the VO completely inhibited the emergence of lice nits after 6 and 14 days. On the basis of the obtained results, S. capitata VO is a promising natural alternative to synthetic antipedicular and anticholinesterase drugs, which can be employed in drug development, and may lead to new candidates against head lice and neurodegenerative diseases.

Evaluation of Fungistatic Activity of Eight Selected Essential Oils on Four Heterogeneous Fusarium Isolates Obtained from Cereal Grains in Southern Poland

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the chemical composition of eight commercial essential oils (EsO) (garlic, grapefruit, lemon grass, tea tree, thyme, verbena, cajeput, and Litsea cubeba) and their fungistatic activity in relation to four species of Fusarium: F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, and F. oxysporum. The species identification of Fusarium isolates was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. The determination of qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the EsO was carried out using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The fungistatic activity of EsO was assessed by using the method of poisoned substrates. The data were compiled in the STATISTICA 13.0 program. The chemical composition of the tested oils varied; the dominant fraction, except for grapefruit and garlic oils, were monoterpenoids. The greatest similarity to the action of the synthetic pesticide Funaben T was found in four oils, i.e., thyme, lemongrass, verbena, and Litsea cubeba. The studies showed that F. oxysporum and F. avenaceum were characterized by a higher resistance to low oil concentrations, and F. culmorum and F. graminearum by sensitivity. The fungicidal activity of two EsO-dominant monoterpenoids-thymol and citral-has been confirmed.

Chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oil from Thymus lanceolatus

Thymus lanceolatus is a rare species, which grows wild in Algeria and Tunis. It is used traditionally as a drink and to flavor and preserve meat and poultry. The composition of the essential oil was determined by GLC/FID and GLC/MS. Forty-nine components were identified and quantified, accounting for 96.75% of the total detected components in the oil. The oxygenated monoterpenes (74.85%) constitute the major class of volatile secondary metabolites in the oil. Thymol was the most abundant constituent (69.61%) followed by γ-terpinene (8.38%). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using both diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH˙) reduction and 2-deoxyribose (2-DR) degradation prevention methods. The oil showed a very potent antioxidant activity with IC(50) values of 0.20 ± 0.07 and 4.96 ± 0.39 μg/mL for the DPPH˙ and 2-DR methods, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was assessed using the agar diffusion method, and the in vitro cytotoxicity on five different cancer cells was examined using the MTT assay. The oil revealed promising inhibitory activity against Gram positive bacteria, especially Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus pyogenes with an MIC value of 62.5 μg/mL. Additionally, the highest cytotoxic activity was observed against the HL-60 cells with an IC(50) of 113.5 μg/mL. These results validate some of their traditional uses in food preservation.

Kazakh Ziziphora Species as Sources of Bioactive Substances

Ziziphora species represent the prototypical example of the Lamiaceae family. The phytochemicals present in Ziziphora include monoterpenic essential oils, triterpenes and phenolic substances belonging to the flavonoids. In Kazakh traditional medicine, Ziziphora species possess several medicinal uses. In particular, Z. bungeana Lam. and Z. clinopodioides Lam. are used for the treatment of illnesses related to the cardiovascular system or to combat different infections. Unfortunately, the majority of the information about the complex Ziziphora species is only available in Russian and Chinese language, therefore, we decided gather all available information on Kazakhstan Ziziphora, namely its content compounds, medicinal uses and published patents, to draw the attention of scientists to this very interesting plant with high medicinal potential.