Chemical Variability of the Essential Oil of Origanum ehrenbergii Boiss. from Lebanon, Assessed by Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and Common Component and Specific Weight Analysis (CCSWA)

Essential oil composition and biological activities of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Miller) needles collected from different Tunisian regions

The aim of this research was to investigate the variation regarding the chemical composition and biological activities of needles essential oils (EOs) of P. halepensis. Chemical profiles demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) variability among the different EOs. The main identified compounds were caryophyllene (48.77 ± 2.26), phenyl isovalerate (22.22 ± 2.26), β-myrcene (15.55 ± 5.65) and α-pinene (14.52 ± 2.26). Further, it was shown that EO from Tabouba (Tab) displayed the highest DPPH scavenging (IC₅₀ = 73.03 mg/mL), anti-inflammatory (IC₅₀ = 23.29 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibition activities (IC₅₀ = 254.45 µg/mL). While Elmahres (Elm) exhibited the most potent ABTS radical's inhibition (IC₅₀ = 197.87 mg/mL). For the cytotoxic capacities, Kettana (Ket) was the most efficient against breast cancer MCF-7 cell line with IC₅₀ value better than doxorubicin used as positive control. Obtained results suggest that EO of P. halepensis could be used as a source of bioactive compounds.

Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Angelica sylvestris L. var. stenoptera Avé-Lall ex Boiss.: An Endangered Medicinal Plant of Northeast Turkey

Angelica sylvestris L. var. stenoptera Avé-Lall ex Boiss. (ASS) is an endangered endemic plant to Turkey. The objective of the study was to determine antioxidant activities, total phenolics, and phytochemical properties of methanolic extracts (MEs) and essential oil (EO) from ASS for the first time with the methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH⋅) radical scavenging activities, 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS⋅+ ), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), the Folin-Ciocalteu, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. The leaf extract of ASS was found to be the richest in phenolic content (543.91±6.33 GAE, μg/mL) and showed the highest DPPH⋅ and FRAP activities (IC50 : 0.1140±0.0011 mg/mL, 675.62±15.01 μM TEAC). EO of ASS root showed DPPH⋅ and FRAP activities (IC50 : 1.3248±0.0572 mg/mL, 346.67±12.75 μM TEAC). 19 phenolics were detected in MEs of different parts of ASS by LC/MS/MS. In the chemical composition of ASS root EO by GC/MS, globulol (70.70 %) was found to be the major compound. Our results indicate that ASS can be used a source of phytochemicals and antioxidants for conservation and sustainability of endangered plants.

Effect of geographical origin on yield and composition of cone essential oils of Cedrus libani A. Rich. growing in Lebanese protected areas and variability assessment in comparison with literature survey

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis together with principal component analysis revealed that geographical origin influenced the yield and composition of the essential oils (EOs) extracted by hydrodistillation performed for 3 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus, from the cones of Cedrus libani A. Rich., growing wild at four Lebanese natural reserves and protected areas: Bsharri, Chouf, Ehden, and Tannourine, and from a cultivated cedar growing in Qartaba. Essential oil chemical variability established between the different studied provenances suggested the involvement of abiotic factors such as geographical conditions, cultivation conditions, soil composition, and environmental factors in the chemical polymorphism of C. libani cones EOs. α-Pinene/β-pinene characterized Ehden (β-pinene 35.6%/α-pinene 27.7%), Chouf (α-pinene 37.3%/β-pinene 26.1%), Bsharri (α-pinene 27.7%/β-pinene 21.4%), and Tannourine (α-pinene 25.1%/β-pinene 16.0%) samples, whereas Qartaba EO was distinguished by the dominance of myrcene (30.6%), α-pinene(26%), and limonene (14.1%). Comparison with the existing literature reinforced the chemical variability of C. libani EOs. This current study helped the estimation of a best harvest location for a good EO quality production, resource optimization, and pharmacological properties evaluation, according to the market demand.

New Tricks for Old Guys: Recent Developments in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applications and Exploitation of Selected Species from the Lamiaceae Family

Lamiaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants comprising about 250 genera and over 7,000 species. Most of the plants of this family are aromatic and therefore important source of essential oils. Lamiaceae are widely used as culinary herbs and reported as medicinal plants in several folk traditions. In the Mediterranean area oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme and lavender stand out for geographical diffusion and variety of uses. The aim of this review is to provide recent data dealing with the phytochemical and pharmacological studies, and the more recent applications of the essential oils and the non-volatile phytocomplexes. This literature survey suggests how the deeper understanding of biomolecular processes in the health and food sectors as per as pest control bioremediation of cultural heritage, or interaction with human microbiome, fields, leads to the rediscovery and new potential applications of well-known plants.