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Pharmaceutics
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Essential Oils: From Biological Activity to Pharmaceutical Applications
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Essential Oils: From Biological Activity to Pharmaceutical Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Targeting and Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 6128

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Héctor Iván Meléndez Ortíz

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Guest Editor
Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación-Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada, Saltillo 25294, Mexico
Interests: nanoparticles; hydrogels; drug delivery; anticancer agent delivery; antibiotic delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Essential oils possess a variety of biological properties that make them useful in the treatment of various conditions, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. In the pharmaceutical industry, they have been used both topically and aromatically and are used in cosmetic products, creams, and ointments due to their antiseptic, moisturizing, and skin-regenerating properties. They have also been investigated as additives in medications to improve drug absorption, stability, and sensory properties. Furthermore, in some cases, essential oils are incorporated into controlled-release formulations, allowing for longer and more effective action.

In this context, the aim of this Special Issue is to provide readers with an overview of the current advances regarding essential oils and their pharmaceutical uses. Original research papers and review articles are welcome. You may refer to the standards for "Chemical Compound Characterization" in the section titled "Instructions for Authors" to prepare your paper.

Dr. Héctor Iván Meléndez Ortíz
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • EOs as active chemicals
  • EOs’ biological activity (antimicrobial, insecticidal, herbicidal, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties)
  • EOs encapsulation procedures
  • EOs for improving human health
  • EOs in active packaging products
  • polymeric networks for EOs encapsulation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

36 pages, 4305 KB  
Article
Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Synergistic Activities of Teucrium polium L.: An Integrated Experimental and In Silico Approach
by Khalid Zibouh, Brahim Ed-Damsyry, Aziz Drioiche, Mohamed Ed-Dahmouny, Noorah A. Alkubaisi, Mourad A. M. Aboul-Soud, Firdaous Remok, Chaimae Ibbur, Mohamed Radi, Atika Ailli, Sevser Sahpaz and Touriya Zair
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(3), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18030397 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 629
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Teucrium polium L. is widely used in traditional medicine and has been proposed as a source of antimicrobial adjuvants in the context of antimicrobial resistance. Here, we characterized the essential oil (EO) and polar extracts of T. polium and evaluated their antioxidant [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Teucrium polium L. is widely used in traditional medicine and has been proposed as a source of antimicrobial adjuvants in the context of antimicrobial resistance. Here, we characterized the essential oil (EO) and polar extracts of T. polium and evaluated their antioxidant activity, antimicrobial potency against clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, and the interaction of the EO with conventional antibiotics using a chequerboard assay (FICI); further, we investigated in silico molecular interactions with some targets related to resistance. Methods/Results: The EO, which was hydrodistilled and subsequently analyzed by GC–MS, is characterized by dominant limonene content (24.13%) and contents of oxygenated sesquiterpenes such as β-eudesmol (10.48%) and α-muurolol (8.10%). HPLC/UV–ESI–MS characterization of the extracts (decoction and Soxhlet) demonstrated that they were rich in polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids, which matched the standard phytochemical characteristics of this species. The extracts exhibited significant reducing capabilities, and the hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 15.41 μg/mL; FRAP EC50 = 30.65 μg /mL), while the EO revealed at most moderate capacity in these tests. In antimicrobial assays, the EO inhibited fungi more effectively than the extracts (MIC of 1.17 mg/mL against Aspergillus niger; 4.69 mg/mL against Candida spp.), while antibacterial MICs for both the EO and extracts were generally high (up to 50 mg/mL). Combination testing nevertheless identified synergistic or additive effects of the EO with selected antibiotics, notably with ceftazidime against ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (FICI = 0.141) and Staphylococcus aureus (FICI = 0.039) and with amikacin against Klebsiella pneumoniae (FICI = 0.313); the EO–ceftriaxone pairing against ESBL E. coli was additive (FICI = 0.516). Docking simulations further supported these observations by showing the favorable predicted binding of oxygenated sesquiterpenes, most notably β-eudesmol and α-muurolol (up to −8.6 kcal/mol), to resistance-related targets such as RND efflux pumps, β-lactamases, and porins. Conclusions: Taken together, the in vitro and in silico data suggest that T. polium could be explored as a natural antimicrobial option and as an adjuvant to enhance antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Biological Activity to Pharmaceutical Applications)
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11 pages, 532 KB  
Communication
Antibacterial Activity of Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Will.Watson) Essential Oil and Geraniol Against Clinical Isolates from Respiratory, Skin, and Soft Tissue Infections
by Pilar Cebollada, Elena Alvarado, Cristina Seral and Víctor López
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010039 - 27 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1005
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Essential oils are liquid natural volatile mixture of compounds with several bioactive properties, which make them useful in a wide range of pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this work is to explore the antimicrobial impact of Cymbopogon martini essential oil against [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Essential oils are liquid natural volatile mixture of compounds with several bioactive properties, which make them useful in a wide range of pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this work is to explore the antimicrobial impact of Cymbopogon martini essential oil against human clinical bacterial isolates from the skin and respiratory tract while also assessing its impact on mammalian cells. Geraniol, its main component according to GC-MS analysis, was evaluated under the same conditions. Methods: The composition of the essential oil was provided by the supplier. To elucidate the antimicrobial activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. The impact on mammalian hepatic cells was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: The essential oil showed activity against Gram-positive bacteria from the Streptococcus and Staphylococcus genera, with MIC values ranging from 125 to 250 µg mL−1 for Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus disgalactiae， and Streptococcus pyogenes. It also displayed activity against some of the tested Gram-negative bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli (MIC 350 µg mL−1), Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC 250 µg mL−1), and Morganella morganii (MIC 350 µg mL−1). In most cases, the essential oil showed lower MIC values than geraniol. Additionally, palmarosa oil had a weaker impact than geraniol in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: Both the essential oil and the pure compound exhibited activity against clinical isolates obtained from skin and respiratory tract samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Biological Activity to Pharmaceutical Applications)
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17 pages, 2363 KB  
Article
Comparative Phytochemical Profiling of Essential Oils from Selected Abies Species and Analysis of Their Antifungal and Antiradical Activity
by Rizvangul Ayupova, Emil Svajdlenka, Milan Zemlicka, Galiya Ibadullayeva, Karlygash Raganina, Urziya Alimova, Shamshabanu Nokerbek, Rauan Botabayeva, Lashyn Kiyekbayeva and Serzhan Mombekov
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010026 - 25 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1179
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The essential oils of Abies species possess a complex chemical composition and pronounced biological activity. However, comparative studies of interspecies differences and on the influence of extraction methods on their chemical profile and pharmacological properties are limited. Such data are necessary for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The essential oils of Abies species possess a complex chemical composition and pronounced biological activity. However, comparative studies of interspecies differences and on the influence of extraction methods on their chemical profile and pharmacological properties are limited. Such data are necessary for identifying the most promising species and optimizing essential oil production technologies for pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the essential oils of seven Abies species obtained by steam distillation and to analyze the effects of three extraction methods on the chemical and biological characteristics of Abies sibirica L. oil. Methods: The essential oils of seven Abies species were isolated by steam distillation. For A. sibirica, supercritical CO2 extraction and microwave-assisted steam distillation (MASD) were additionally used. Chemical composition was determined by GC-MS. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, PCA and hierarchical cluster modeling, and non-parametric tests. Antifungal activity was assessed against Candida albicans, and antiradical activity was assessed using densitometric analysis. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed significant differences in chemical composition between species and extraction methods. The main compounds were bornyl acetate, α-pinene, and camphene. ANOVA revealed significant differences in bornyl acetate and β-pinene content between species (p < 0.001) and methods (p < 0.01). PCA and clustering identified a bornyl acetate-rich chemotype (A. sibirica, A. grandis, A. lowiana). A. sibirica oil, obtained by MASD, exhibited high antifungal activity (82% inhibition), similar to that of 5-flucytosine (95%). Antiradical activity correlated with monoterpenes corresponding to peaks 2 and 7 of the densitogram. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the species and extraction method significantly determine the chemical profile and biological properties of Abies oils. A. sibirica oil, obtained by MASD, demonstrated the highest activity, highlighting its potential as a source of biologically active compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Biological Activity to Pharmaceutical Applications)
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18 pages, 4627 KB  
Article
The Potential of Thymus zygis L. (Thyme) Essential Oil Coating in Preventing Vulvovaginal Candidiasis on Intrauterine Device (IUD) Strings
by Gulcan Sahal, Hanife Guler Donmez, Herman J. Woerdenbag, Abbas Taner and Mehmet Sinan Beksac
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(10), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17101304 - 7 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1329
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Fungal colonization and biofilm formation on intrauterine device (IUD) strings are known to contribute to recurrent infections and decreased contraceptive efficacy. This study aims to develop a novel approach to prevent Candida reservoir and biofilm formation on IUD strings, thereby lowering the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Fungal colonization and biofilm formation on intrauterine device (IUD) strings are known to contribute to recurrent infections and decreased contraceptive efficacy. This study aims to develop a novel approach to prevent Candida reservoir and biofilm formation on IUD strings, thereby lowering the risk of IUD-associated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Methods: Cervicovaginal samples were collected from human cervix using a sterile cytobrush, avoiding microbial contamination. Cytological examination using the Papanicolaou method was performed to detect the presence of Candida. The antifungal effect of the essential oils (EOs) was determined by broth dilution and disk diffusion methods. Antifungal and biofilm inhibitory effects of Thymus zygis (Tz) EO-coated IUD strings were determined by agar diffusion and crystal violet binding assays, while fungal growth on the coated strings was assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Results: Tz EO exhibited significantly lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC ≤ 0.06 µL/mL) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC = 0.24 µL/mL) values compared to Melaleuca alternifolia (Ma) EO (MIC > 0.24 µL/mL, MFC = 1.95 µL/mL), along with larger zones of inhibition (ZOI) against both Candida albicans (110.0 ± 6.0 mm vs. 91.3 ± 7.0 mm) and Candida glabrata (84.0 ± 13.1 mm vs. 50.0 ± 9.2 mm), indicating a stronger antifungal potential. On IUD strings coated with 4% (40 μL/g) Tz EO in hypromellose ointment, the biofilm formation of both C. albicans and C. glabrata strains was inhibited by 58.9% and 66.7%, respectively, as confirmed by SEM and EDX. Conclusions: Tz EO-coated IUD strings effectively inhibit Candida growth, suggesting a promising natural strategy to reduce recurrent IUD-associated fungal infections. However, before these results can be translated to clinical practice, additional research is needed. Future investigations may encompass an extended number of Candida isolates, stability and release studies of the EO in relation to the formulation, toxicity to vaginal mucosa, epithelial cells and sperm motility, and the effect on vaginal microbiotia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Biological Activity to Pharmaceutical Applications)
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19 pages, 1287 KB  
Article
Exploring the Phytochemical Profile and Therapeutic Potential of Saudi Native Santolina chamaecyparissus L. Essential Oil
by Hanan Y. Aati, Wedad Sarawi, Hala Attia, Rehab Ghazwani and Lama Aldmaine
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(7), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17070830 - 26 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1292
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Medicinal plants such as Santolina chamaecyparissus L., an evergreen shrub from the Asteraceae family, have long been valued for their bioactive compounds and traditional therapeutic uses. Materials: In this study, the essential oil of S. chamaecyparissus (EOSC) was isolated via hydrodistillation and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Medicinal plants such as Santolina chamaecyparissus L., an evergreen shrub from the Asteraceae family, have long been valued for their bioactive compounds and traditional therapeutic uses. Materials: In this study, the essential oil of S. chamaecyparissus (EOSC) was isolated via hydrodistillation and then comprehensively evaluated for its phytochemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hemolytic, and cytotoxic properties, as well as its in silico bioactivity. Results: In total, 89.5% of the essential oil composition was successfully identified using GC-MS analysis. Hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes constituted the largest fraction (36.0%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (19.7%). Phytochemical screening revealed high phenolic content (839.50 ± 5.0 mg GAE/g E.O), while the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assay confirmed its strong antioxidant potential. The oil showed moderate hemolytic activity and significant lipoxygenase inhibition, indicating anti-inflammatory capability. The cytotoxic effects of the EOSC were evaluated using the MTT assay and HepG2 liver cancer cells. A dose-dependent reduction in cell viability was observed, confirming the oil’s strong anticancer activity. Molecular docking and ADMET analyses supported the bioactivity of the identified compounds, which showed good drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that EOSC has promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that it could have potential as a safe natural substance for use in drug development and food preservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Biological Activity to Pharmaceutical Applications)
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