Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity

A special issue of Medicines (ISSN 2305-6320).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2016) | Viewed by 135809

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Room 901C, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
Interests: designing and synthesis of biologically active molecules to treat cancer; malaria, pain; infection; oxidative stress and inflammatory diseases; designing and synthesis of bioactive natural products and pharmaceutically important small molecules; designing and synthesis of ‘nanoparticles’ and ‘molecular umbrella’ for drug delivery and other application e.g. synthesis of biologically active steroid dimers and macrocyclic polyamines for drug delivery

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Technologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
Interests: natural product chemistry; organic chemistry; antioxidant activity; antioxidants; phytochemicals; medicinal Plants; column chromatography; chromatography; bioactivity; extraction

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, 81 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2ER, UK
Interests: phytochemistry; phytomedicine; phytotherapy; natuaral products synthesis; structure elucidation; NMR; HPLC; chromatography; bioassay

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Essential oils are naturally occurring volatile oils with characteristic fragrance or aroma that depends on their chemical composition and also on the sources they are extracted from. For example, essential oil extracted from clove has characteristic aroma of ‘clove oil’. Chemically, an essential oil is composed of various small molecules, including predominantly, mono- and sesquiterpenes, simple aromatic compounds and various other aliphatic compounds. Essential oils have been used extensively, not only in various cosmetics, food and related products, but also for medicinal purposes to treat various human ailments, and in aromatherapy for thousands of years. This Special Issue will compile original research articles and critical reviews on various chemical and bioactivity aspects of essential oils, mainly obtained from higher plants. Topics related to advances in methods and technologies pertinent to extraction and analysis of essential oils will also be covered.

Dr. Lutfun Nahar
Dr. Norazah Basar
Prof. Dr. Satyajit D Sarker
Guest Editors

Keywords

  • essential oil
  • volatile oil
  • composition
  • bioactivity
  • analysis
  • extraction
  • cosmetics
  • medicine
  • food products

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

444 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of the Volatile Oil of Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres
by Mohamed Al-Fatimi, Martina Wurster and Ulrike Lindequist
Medicines 2016, 3(2), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3020010 - 28 Apr 2016
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 9781
Abstract
In a first study of the volatile oil of the mushroom basidiomycete Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres., the chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the oil were investigated. The volatile oil was obtained from the fresh fruiting bodies of Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres. By [...] Read more.
In a first study of the volatile oil of the mushroom basidiomycete Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres., the chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the oil were investigated. The volatile oil was obtained from the fresh fruiting bodies of Ganoderma pfeifferi Bres. By hydrodistillation extraction and analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated against five bacteria strains and two types of fungi strains, using disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the oil was determined using DPPH assay. Four volatile compounds representing 90.5% of the total oil were identified. The majority of the essential oil was dominated by 1-octen-3-ol (amyl vinyl carbinol) 1 (73.6%) followed by 1-octen-3-ol acetate 2 (12.4%), phenylacetaldehyde 3 (3.0%) and 6-camphenol 4 (1.5%). The results showed that the Gram-positive bacteria species are more sensitive to the essential oil than Gram-negative bacteria. The oil showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus as well as Candida albicans. Moreover, the oil exhibited strong radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay. This first report on the chemical composition and biological properties of G. pfeifferi volatile oil makes its pharmaceutical uses rational and provides a basis in the biological and phytochemical investigations of the volatile oils of Ganodermataceae species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Figure 1

4225 KiB  
Article
Ionically Crosslinked Chitosan Hydrogels for the Controlled Release of Antimicrobial Essential Oils and Metal Ions for Wound Management Applications
by Wan Li Low, M.A. (Ken) Kenward, Mohd Cairul Iqbal Mohd Amin and Claire Martin
Medicines 2016, 3(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3010008 - 1 Mar 2016
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6070
Abstract
The emerging problems posed by antibiotic resistance complicate the treatment regime required for wound infections and are driving the need to develop more effective methods of wound management. There is growing interest in the use of alternative, broad spectrum, pre-antibiotic antimicrobial agents such [...] Read more.
The emerging problems posed by antibiotic resistance complicate the treatment regime required for wound infections and are driving the need to develop more effective methods of wound management. There is growing interest in the use of alternative, broad spectrum, pre-antibiotic antimicrobial agents such as essential oils (e.g., tea tree oil, TTO) and metal ions (e.g., silver, Ag+). Both TTO and Ag+ have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and act on multiple target sites, hence reducing the likelihood of developing resistance. Combining such agents with responsive, controlled release delivery systems such as hydrogels may enhance microbiocidal activity and promote wound healing. The advantages of using chitosan to formulate the hydrogels include its biocompatible, mucoadhesive and controlled release properties. In this study, hydrogels loaded with TTO and Ag+ exhibited antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and C. albicans. Combining TTO and Ag+ into the hydrogel further improved antimicrobial activity by lowering the effective concentrations required, respectively. This has obvious advantages for reducing the potential toxic effects on the healthy tissues surrounding the wound. These studies highlight the feasibility of delivering lower effective concentrations of antimicrobial agents such as TTO and Ag+ in ionically crosslinked chitosan hydrogels to treat common wound-infecting pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Figure 1

660 KiB  
Article
Composition and Biological Activities of Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack Essential Oil from Nepal
by Noura S. Dosoky, Prabodh Satyal, Tilak P. Gautam and William N. Setzer
Medicines 2016, 3(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3010007 - 26 Feb 2016
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 7845
Abstract
Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, a small tropical evergreen shrub growing in Nepal, has numerous uses in traditional medicine for treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomach ache, headache, edema, thrombosis, and blood stasis. The present study investigated the chemical composition and bioactivities of the [...] Read more.
Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, a small tropical evergreen shrub growing in Nepal, has numerous uses in traditional medicine for treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomach ache, headache, edema, thrombosis, and blood stasis. The present study investigated the chemical composition and bioactivities of the leaf essential oil from M. paniculata from Nepal. The essential oil from leaves was obtained by hydrodistillation and a detailed chemical analysis was conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil was screened for antimicrobial activity using the microbroth dilution test, for nematicidal activity against Caenorhabditis elegans, and for lethality against brine shrimp (Artemia salina). A total of 76 volatile components were identified from the essential oil. The major components were methyl palmitate (11.1%), isospathulenol (9.4%), (E,E)-geranyl linalool (5.3%), benzyl benzoate (4.2%), selin-6-en-4-ol (4.0%), β-caryophyllene (4.0%), germacrene B (3.6%), germacrene D (3.4%), and γ-elemene (3.2%). The essential oil showed no antibacterial activity, marginal antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (MIC = 313 μg/mL), a moderate activity against A. salina (LC50 = 41 μg/mL), and a good nematicidal activity against C. elegans (LC50 = 37 μg/mL). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

586 KiB  
Article
GC-MS Analysis and Preliminary Antimicrobial Activity of Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach) and Pterocarpus angolensis (DC)
by Mustapha N. Abubakar and Runner R. T. Majinda
Medicines 2016, 3(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3010003 - 28 Jan 2016
Cited by 118 | Viewed by 9336
Abstract
The non-polar components of two leguminoceae species Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach), and Pterocarpus angolensis (DC) were investigated. GC-MS analysis of the crude n-hexane and chloroform extracts together with several chromatographic separation techniques led to the identification and characterization (using NMR) of sixteen known [...] Read more.
The non-polar components of two leguminoceae species Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach), and Pterocarpus angolensis (DC) were investigated. GC-MS analysis of the crude n-hexane and chloroform extracts together with several chromatographic separation techniques led to the identification and characterization (using NMR) of sixteen known compounds from the heartwood and stem bark of Albizia adianthifolia and Pterocarpus angolensis respectively. These constituents include, n-hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) 1, oleic acid 2, chondrillasterol 3, stigmasterol 4, 24S 5α-stigmast-7-en-3β-ol 5, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester 6, trans-13-octadecanoic acid, methyl ester 7, tetradecanoic acid 8, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester 9, octadecanoic acid 10, tetratriacontane 11, 7-dehydrodiosgenin 12, lupeol 13, stigmasta-3,5-diene-7-one 14, friedelan-3-one (friedelin) 15, and 1-octacosanol 16. Using agar over lay method, the preliminary antimicrobial assay for the extracts was carried out against bacterial (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, S. aueus) and a fungus/yeast (C. albicans) strains. The n-hexane and chloroform extracts of A. adianthifolia showed the best activity against E. coli with minimum inhibition quantity (MIQ) of 1 µg each while the remaining exhibited moderate-to-weak activity against the test microorganisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

228 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Volatile Constituents from Fresh Fruits of Alchornea cordifolia and Canthium subcordatum
by Emmanuel E. Essien, Jennifer Schmidt Newby, Tameka M. Walker, William N. Setzer and Olusegun Ekundayo
Medicines 2016, 3(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3010001 - 29 Dec 2015
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5252
Abstract
Bacterial resistance has been increasingly reported worldwide and is one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of infectious diseases. Natural-based products, including plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), can be exploited to ameliorate the problem of microbial resistance. The fruit essential oils [...] Read more.
Bacterial resistance has been increasingly reported worldwide and is one of the major causes of failure in the treatment of infectious diseases. Natural-based products, including plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), can be exploited to ameliorate the problem of microbial resistance. The fruit essential oils of Alchornea cordifolia and Canthium subcordatum were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils were subjected to in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity screening. Thirty-eight compounds comprising 97.7% of A. cordifolia oil and forty-six constituents representing 98.2% of C. subcordatum oil were identified. The major components in A. cordifolia oil were methyl salicylate (25.3%), citronellol (21.4%), α-phellandrene (7.4%), terpinolene (5.7%) and 1,8-cineole (5.5%). Benzaldehyde (28.0%), β-caryophyllene (15.5%), (E,E)-α-farnesene (5.3%) and methyl salicylate (4.5%) were the quantitatively significant constituents in C. subcordatum fruit essential oil. A. cordifolia essential oil demonstrated potent in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 78 μg/mL) and marginal antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (MIC = 156 μg/mL). C. subcordatum showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and S. aureus (MIC = 156 μg/mL) and notable antifungal activity against A. niger (MIC = 39 μg/mL). However, no appreciable cytotoxic effects on human breast carcinoma cells (Hs 578T) and human prostate carcinoma cells (PC-3) were observed for either essential oil. The antimicrobial activities of A. cordifolia and C. subcordatum fruit essential oils are a function of their distinct chemical profiles; their volatiles and biological activities are reported for the first time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
432 KiB  
Article
Chemotaxonomic Characterization and in-Vitro Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of the Leaf Essential Oil of Curcuma longa Grown in Southern Nigeria
by Emmanuel E. Essien, Jennifer Schmidt Newby, Tameka M. Walker, William N. Setzer and Olusegun Ekundayo
Medicines 2015, 2(4), 340-349; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines2040340 - 21 Dec 2015
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5404
Abstract
Curcuma longa (turmeric) has been used in Chinese traditional medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for many years. Methods: The leaf essential oil of C. longa from southern Nigeria was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil was screened [...] Read more.
Curcuma longa (turmeric) has been used in Chinese traditional medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for many years. Methods: The leaf essential oil of C. longa from southern Nigeria was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil was screened for in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities. The major components in C. longa leaf oil were ar-turmerone (63.4%), α-turmerone (13.7%), and β-turmerone (12.6%). A cluster analysis has revealed this to be a new essential oil chemotype of C. longa. The leaf oil showed notable antibacterial activity to Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, antifungal activity to Aspergillus niger, and cytotoxic activity to Hs 578T (breast tumor) and PC-3 (prostate tumor) cells. The ar-turmerone-rich leaf essential oil of C. longa from Nigeria has shown potent biological activity and therapeutic promise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

210 KiB  
Article
Compositional Variation and Bioactivity of the Leaf Essential Oil of Montanoa guatemalensis from Monteverde, Costa Rica: A Preliminary Investigation
by Victoria D. Flatt, Carlos R. Campos, Maria P. Kraemer, Brittany A. Bailey, Prabodh Satyal and William N. Setzer
Medicines 2015, 2(4), 331-339; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines2040331 - 24 Nov 2015
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4487
Abstract
Background: Montanoa guatemalensis is a small to medium-sized tree in the Asteraceae that grows in Central America from Mexico south through Costa Rica. There have been no previous investigations on the essential oil of this tree. Methods: The leaf essential oils of M. [...] Read more.
Background: Montanoa guatemalensis is a small to medium-sized tree in the Asteraceae that grows in Central America from Mexico south through Costa Rica. There have been no previous investigations on the essential oil of this tree. Methods: The leaf essential oils of M. guatemalensis were obtained from different individual trees growing in Monteverde, Costa Rica, in two different years, and were analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Results: The leaf oils from 2008 were rich in sesquiterpenoids, dominated by α-selinene, β-selinene, and cyclocolorenone, with lesser amounts of the monoterpenes α-pinene and limonene. In contrast, the samples from 2009 showed no α- or β-selinene, but large concentrations of trans-muurola-4(14),5-diene, β-cadinene, and cyclocolorenone, along with greater concentrations of α-pinene and limonene. The leaf oils were screened for cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities and did show selective cytotoxic activity on MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells. Conclusion: M. guatemalensis leaf oil, rich in cyclocolorenone, α-selinene, and β-selinene, showed selective in vitro cytotoxic activity to MDA-MB-231 cells. The plant may be a good source of cyclocolorenone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

1124 KiB  
Review
Essential Oils’ Chemical Characterization and Investigation of Some Biological Activities: A Critical Review
by Wissal Dhifi, Sana Bellili, Sabrine Jazi, Nada Bahloul and Wissem Mnif
Medicines 2016, 3(4), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3040025 - 22 Sep 2016
Cited by 655 | Viewed by 35342
Abstract
This review covers literature data summarizing, on one hand, the chemistry of essential oils and, on the other hand, their most important activities. Essential oils, which are complex mixtures of volatile compounds particularly abundant in aromatic plants, are mainly composed of terpenes biogenerated [...] Read more.
This review covers literature data summarizing, on one hand, the chemistry of essential oils and, on the other hand, their most important activities. Essential oils, which are complex mixtures of volatile compounds particularly abundant in aromatic plants, are mainly composed of terpenes biogenerated by the mevalonate pathway. These volatile molecules include monoterpenes (hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpens), and also sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpens). Furthermore, they contain phenolic compounds, which are derived via the shikimate pathway. Thanks to their chemical composition, essential oils possess numerous biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc…) of great interest in food and cosmetic industries, as well as in the human health field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Figure 1

553 KiB  
Review
Essential Oils and Their Components as Modulators of Antibiotic Activity against Gram-Negative Bacteria
by Petruta Aelenei, Anca Miron, Adriana Trifan, Alexandra Bujor, Elvira Gille and Ana Clara Aprotosoaie
Medicines 2016, 3(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3030019 - 28 Jul 2016
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 11382
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria cause infections that are difficult to treat due to the emergence of multidrug resistance. This review summarizes the current status of the studies investigating the capacity of essential oils and their components to modulate antibiotic activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic interactions [...] Read more.
Gram-negative bacteria cause infections that are difficult to treat due to the emergence of multidrug resistance. This review summarizes the current status of the studies investigating the capacity of essential oils and their components to modulate antibiotic activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic interactions are particularly discussed with reference to possible mechanisms by which essential oil constituents interact with antibiotics. Special emphasis is given to essential oils and volatile compounds that inhibit efflux pumps, thus reversing drug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, indifference and antagonism between essential oils/volatile compounds and conventional antibiotics have also been reported. Overall, this literature review reveals that essential oils and their purified components enhance the efficacy of antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria, being promising candidates for the development of new effective formulations against Gram-negative bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

3162 KiB  
Review
Essential Oils from the Malaysian Citrus (Rutaceae) Medicinal Plants
by Siti Nur Atiqah Md Othman, Muhammad Aizam Hassan, Lutfun Nahar, Norazah Basar, Shajarahtunnur Jamil and Satyajit D. Sarker
Medicines 2016, 3(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3020013 - 3 Jun 2016
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 13082
Abstract
This review article appraises the extraction methods, compositions, and bioactivities of the essential oils from the Citrus species (family: Rutaceae) endemic to Malaysia including C. aurantifolia, C. grandis, C. hystrix, and C. microcarpa. Generally, the fresh peels and [...] Read more.
This review article appraises the extraction methods, compositions, and bioactivities of the essential oils from the Citrus species (family: Rutaceae) endemic to Malaysia including C. aurantifolia, C. grandis, C. hystrix, and C. microcarpa. Generally, the fresh peels and leaves of the Citrus species were extracted using different methods such as steam and water distillation, Likens-Nikerson extraction, solvent extraction, and headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME). Most of the Citrus oils were found to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons with limonene (1) as the major component identified in the peels of C. aurantifolia (39.3%), C. grandis (81.6%–96.9%), and C. microcarpa (94.0%), while sabinene (19) was the major component in the peels of C. hystrix (36.4%–48.5%). In addition, citronellal (20) (61.7%–72.5%), linalool (18) (56.5%), and hedycaryol (23) (19.0%) were identified as the major components in the oil of C. hystrix leaves, C. grandis blossom and C. microcarpa leaves, respectively. The C. hystrix essential oil has been experimentally shown to have antimicrobial and antifeedant activities, while no bioactivity study has been reported on the essential oils of other Malaysian Citrus species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

771 KiB  
Review
Himalayan Aromatic Medicinal Plants: A Review of their Ethnopharmacology, Volatile Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities
by Rakesh K. Joshi, Prabodh Satyal and Wiliam N. Setzer
Medicines 2016, 3(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines3010006 - 19 Feb 2016
Cited by 69 | Viewed by 25640
Abstract
Aromatic plants have played key roles in the lives of tribal peoples living in the Himalaya by providing products for both food and medicine. This review presents a summary of aromatic medicinal plants from the Indian Himalaya, Nepal, and Bhutan, focusing on plant [...] Read more.
Aromatic plants have played key roles in the lives of tribal peoples living in the Himalaya by providing products for both food and medicine. This review presents a summary of aromatic medicinal plants from the Indian Himalaya, Nepal, and Bhutan, focusing on plant species for which volatile compositions have been described. The review summarizes 116 aromatic plant species distributed over 26 families. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: Chemistry and Bioactivity)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop