Search Results (148)

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is one of the polyphagous pests of several crops and forestry, resistant to numerous conventional chemicals. Due to the negative side effects of harmful chemical pesticides, such as environmental pollution, and risks to human health, the introduction of effective and low-risk alternatives is essential. The promising pesticidal effects of essential oils (EOs) isolated from Artemisia annua have been documented in recent studies. In the present study, the acaricidal effects of an A. annua EO, along with its two dominant monoterpenoids, 1,8-cineole and camphor, were investigated against adults of T. urticae. Artemisia annua EO, 1,8-cineole, and camphor, with 24 h-LC₅₀ values of 0.289, 0.533, and 0.64 µL/L air, respectively, had significant toxicity by fumigation against T. urticae adults. Along with lethality, A. annua EO and monoterpenoids had significant inhibitory effects on the activity of detoxifying enzymes, including α- and β-esterases, glutathione S-transferases, and cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase. According to the findings of the present study, A. annua EO and its two dominant monoterpenoids, 1,8-cineole and camphor, with significant toxicity and inhibitory effects on detoxifying enzymes, can be introduced as available, effective, and eco-friendly acaricides in the management of T. urticae. Full article

This current review study covers the applications of vetiver essential oil (VEO) in phytoremediation, emphasizing its remedial capabilities in the cleaning of environmental pollutants like pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, heavy metals, dyes, and other industrial wastes such as chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, and other radioactive wastes. The review also emphasizes the pharmacological potential of vetiver essential oil for different applications, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antitubercular, antihyperglycemic, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective uses. The commercial potential of vetiver essential oil in diverse sectors, including global perspectives, is also illustrated along with demand scenarios in different sectors like food, beverage, fragrance, cosmetic and aromatherapy, hygiene, and pharmaceutical sectors. The main constituents of vetiver oil, their relative proportion, and the key findings of pharmacological studies performed using VEOs or their constituents are also summarized in this review article, with special emphasis on activity against phytopathogens. Full article

Lomatium is a genus of 98 species, widely distributed in western North America. This work presents a chemometric analysis of the essential oils of seven species of Lomatium (L. anomalum, L. dissectum var. dissectum, L. multifidum, L. nudicaule, L. packardiae, L. papilioniferum, and L. triternatum var. triternatum) from the intermountain western United States (Oregon and Idaho). The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatographic methods. Lomatium packardiae essential oil can be characterized as limonene-rich, L. anomalum is a species rich in sabinene and α-pinene, and L. multifidum essential oils were rich in myrcene, while L. dissectum var. dissectum essential oils were dominated by octyl acetate and decyl acetate, L. papilioniferum essential oils from western Idaho had high p-cymene and 2-methyl-5-(1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentyl)phenol concentrations, while those from Oregon had relatively high β-phellandrene and sedanenolide levels. The essential oils of L. triternatum var. triternatum were too variable to confidently assign a chemical type. The major components in the L. nudicaule essential oils were β-phellandrene (16.0–45.7%), (Z)-ligustilide (5.6–47.1%), (E)-β-ocimene (3.3–9.9%), and δ-3-carene (0.2–12.6%). The enantiomeric distributions of α-pinene, camphene, sabinene, β-pinene, limonene, and linalool were also utilized to discriminate between the Lomatium taxa. There are not enough consistent data to properly characterize L. triternatum var. triternatum or the Oregon L. papilioniferum essential oils. Additional research is needed to confidently describe the chemotype(s) of these species. Full article

Members of the Pinus genus are well known for their medicinal properties, which can be attributed to their essential oils. In this work, we have examined the leaf essential oils of five understudied Pinus species collected from various locations in western North America. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatographic methods, including enantioselective gas chromatography. Pinus albicaulis was dominated by (+)-δ-3-carene; Pinus flexilis was dominated by α-pinene (mostly (+)-α-pinene) and (−)-β-pinene; Pinus lambertiana was dominated by (−)-β-pinene; Pinus monticola was dominated by (−)-β-pinene, (+)-δ-3-carene, and (−)-α-pinene; and Pinus sabiniana was rich in (−)-α-pinene and limonene. While this work adds to our knowledge of Pinus essential oils, additional research is needed to more fully appreciate the geographic and altitudinal variations in the volatile compositions of these Pinus species. Full article

The dietary supplement industry is expanding, but it still remains far less regulated than the pharmaceutical industry, resulting in inconsistent quality control. Limited research has been performed in the U.S., particularly regarding the quantification of omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The aim of this study was to quantify the omega-3 fatty acid content in fish oil capsules and liquids purchased from major stores and a grocery chain and compare the results to their label claims. A total of 6 out of 15 were found to have EPA levels ±20% and 10 out of 15 were ±20% outside of the label claim for DHA. One product did not have a label claim for EPA and DHA, but did have a claim for total omega-3 content. These discrepancies indicate that consumers may unwittingly be consuming higher or lower quantities of omega-3 fatty acids than expected, potentially affecting their health outcomes. Full article

For the first time, this work reports the seasonal influence on the chemical composition and antiradical capacity of Acmella oleracea floral essential oil, produced from a perennial herb of great nutritional and pharmacological importance in the Amazon region. The species was cultivated and the plantation was monitored from May to September 2022 between the rainy and dry seasons. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation, analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer, and subjected to the free radical inhibition assay using the DPPH method. The highest oil yield (1.61%) occurred in May (rainy season), and the lowest (0.68%) occurred in September (dry season). Despite the difference in the oil yield between the rainy and dry seasons, no significant correlation with weather conditions (p > 0.05) occurred. During the collection period, the class of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was predominant (16.35–46.01%). The main constituents of A. oleracea were E-caryophyllene (13.57–25.74%), caryophyllene oxide (0.88–31.72%), 1-pentadecene (5.42–16.58%), germacrene D (0.14–15.17%), and myrcene (1.08–11.99%), and a low concentration of its main bioactive spilanthol (0.66–5.2%) was also observed. The antiradical capacity was considered low, with inhibition of 7.96 to 7.53% of free radicals and a Trolox equivalence of 68.4 to 64.7 mg·ET/g. Although there were some changes in the levels of chemical components in A. oleracea essential oils, the species can be considered an alternative source of pharmacologically active compounds such as E-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide, in addition to presenting amounts of other bioactive molecules. Full article

Endocrine disruptors are molecules that can interfere with the proper functioning of the endocrine system and lead to harmful effects in living organisms. This review focuses on the impact of synthetic fragrances, which are commonly found in personal care and household products, on the endocrine system. The article discusses the different types of hormones in the body and how they interact with receptors to produce signals. It also explores how endocrine disruptors can interfere with hormone signaling and transport, leading to adverse effects in the body. This work underscores the crucial need for further research into the impact of synthetic fragrances on the endocrine system and the importance of using safer alternatives in personal care and household products. Full article

The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum du Val, is one of the cosmopolitan and polyphagous storage insect pests. The frequent application of chemical insecticides has resulted in several side effects, including threats to human health and non-target organisms and the resistance of insect pests. In the current study, the fumigant toxicity and feeding deterrence potential of Artemisia fragrans Willd. essential oil on T. confusum adults were investigated. The essential oil was rich in terpenic compounds, in which α-thujone (27.8%) and 1,8-cineole (22.8%) were dominant. The essential oil displayed significant fumigant toxicity on T. confusum, where a concentration of 35.3 μL/L caused 100% mortality of the treated adults after 48 h. The LC₃₀ and LC₄₀ values (lethal concentrations to kill 30% and 40% of tested insects: 15.1 and 18.4 μL/L, respectively) significantly decreased the nutritional indices of the pest, including the consumption index, relative consumption rate, and relative growth rate. The feeding deterrence index of the essential oil were calculated as being 62.29 and 48.66% for the concentrations of 15.1 and 18.4 μL/L after 5 days, respectively. Accordingly, A. fragrans essential oil can be considered an efficient, available, and natural alternative to detrimental chemical pesticides in the management of T. confusum. Full article

As part of our continuing interest in the essential oil compositions of gymnosperms, particularly the distribution of chiral terpenoids, we have obtained the foliar essential oils of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (two samples), Thuja plicata (three samples), and Tsuga heterophylla (six samples) from locations in the state of Oregon, USA. The essential oils were obtained via hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques, including chiral gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. The major components in C. lawsoniana foliar essential oil were limonene (27.4% and 22.0%; >99% (+)-limonene), oplopanonyl acetate (13.8% and 11.3%), beyerene (14.3% and 9.0%), sabinene (7.0% and 6.5%; >99% (+)-sabinene), terpinen-4-ol (5.0% and 5.3%; predominantly (+)-terpinen-4-ol), and methyl myrtenate (2.0% and 5.4%). The major components in T. plicata essential oil were (−)-α-thujone (67.1–74.6%), (+)-β-thujone (7.8–9.3%), terpinen-4-ol (2.7–4.4%; predominantly (+)-terpinen-4-ol), and (+)-sabinene (1.1–3.5%). The major components in T. heterophylla essential oil were myrcene (7.0–27.6%), α-pinene (14.4–27.2%), β-phellandrene (6.6–19.3%), β-pinene (6.4–14.9%; >90% (−)-β-pinene), and (Z)-β-ocimene (0.7–11.3%). There are significant differences between the C. lawsoniana essential oils from wild trees in Oregon and those of trees cultivated in other geographical locations. The essential oil compositions of T. plicata are very similar, regardless of the collection site. There are no significant differences between T. heterophylla essential oils from the Oregon Coastal Range or those from the Oregon Cascade Range. Comparing essential oils of the Cupressaceae with the Pinaceae, there are some developing trends. The (+)-enantiomers seem to dominate for α-pinene, camphene, sabinene, β-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol in the Cuppressaceae. On the other hand, the (−)-enantiomers seem to predominate for α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, limonene, β-phellandrene, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol in the Pinaceae. Full article

In the search for new bioactive agents against the infectious pathogen responsible for the neglected tropical disease (NTD) mycetoma, we tested a collection of 27 essential oils (EOs) in vitro against Madurella mycetomatis, the primary pathogen responsible for the fungal form of mycetoma, termed eumycetoma. Among this series, the EO of Santalum album (Santalaceae), i.e., East Indian sandalwood oil, stood out prominently with the most potent inhibition in vitro. We, therefore, directed our research toward 15 EOs of Santalum species of different geographical origins, along with two samples of EOs from other plant species often commercialized as “sandalwood oils”. Most of these EOs displayed similar strong activity against M. mycetomatis in vitro. All tested oils were thoroughly analyzed by GC-QTOF MS and most of their constituents were identified. Separation of the sandalwood oil into the fractions of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and alcohols showed that its activity is associated with the sesquiterpene alcohols. The major constituents, the sesquiterpene alcohols (Z)-α- and (Z)-β-santalol were isolated from the S. album oil by column chromatography on AgNO₃-coated silica. They were tested as isolated compounds against the fungus, and (Z)-α-santalol was about two times more active than the β-isomer. Full article

As part of our interest in the volatile phytoconstituents of aromatic plants of the Great Basin, we have obtained essential oils of Ambrosia acanthicarpa (three samples), Artemisia ludoviciana (12 samples), and Gutierrezia sarothrae (six samples) from the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho. Gas chromatographic analyses (GC-MS, GC-FID, and chiral GC-MS) were carried out on each essential oil sample. The essential oils of A. acanthicarpa were dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, including α-pinene (36.7–45.1%), myrcene (21.6–25.5%), and β-phellandrene (4.9–7.0%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons also dominated the essential oils of G. sarothrae, with β-pinene (0.5–18.4%), α-phellandrene (2.2–11.8%), limonene (1.4–25.4%), and (Z)-β-ocimene (18.8–39.4%) as major components. The essential oils of A. ludoviciana showed wide variation in composition, but the relatively abundant compounds were camphor (0.1–61.9%, average 14.1%), 1,8-cineole (0.1–50.8%, average 11.1%), (E)-nerolidol (0.0–41.0%, average 6.8%), and artemisia ketone (0.0–46.1%, average 5.1%). This is the first report on the essential oil composition of A. acanthicarpa and the first report on the enantiomeric distribution in an Ambrosia species. The essential oil compositions of A. ludoviciana and G. sarothrae showed wide variation in composition in this study and compared with previous studies, likely due to subspecies variation. Full article

The fatty acid (FA) compositions of thirty-nine vegetable oils and fats, including nangai nut, pili nut, shea butter, tamanu oil, baobab, sea buckthorn berry, Brazil nut, grape seed, black seed, evening primrose, passion fruit, milk thistle, sunflower, pumpkin seed, sesame, soybean, flax seed, kukui, red raspberry seed, walnut, chia seed, hemp seed, rosehip, almond, avocado, carrot seed, moringa, apricot kernel, camellia seed, macadamia, olive, marula, argan, castor, jojoba, pomegranate seed, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) coconut, roasted coconut, canola, and mustard oil, were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Vegetable oils and fats have different profiles in terms of their fatty acid composition, and their major constituents vary significantly. However, we categorized them into different classes based on the percentages of different fatty acids they contain. The saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid and stearic acid, and the unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, are the main categories. Among them, roasted coconut oil contained the greatest amount of saturated fatty acids followed by nangai nut (45.61%). Passion fruit oil contained the largest amount of linoleic acid (66.23%), while chia seed oil had the highest content of linolenic acid (58.25%). Oleic acid was exclusively present in camellia seed oil, constituting 78.57% of its composition. Notably, mustard oil had a significant presence of erucic acid (54.32%), while pomegranate seed oil exclusively contained punicic acid (74.77%). Jojoba oil primarily consisted of (Z)-11-eicosenoic acid (29.55%) and (Z)-docos-13-en-1-ol (27.96%). The major constituent in castor oil was ricinoleic acid (89.89%). Compared with other vegetable oils and fats, pili nut oil contained a significant amount of (E)-FA (20.62%), followed by sea buckthorn berry oil with a content of 9.60%. FA compositions from sources may be problematic in the human diet due to no labeling or the absence of essential components. Therefore, consumers must cast an eye over some essential components consumed in their dietary intake. Full article

Pimenta dioica L. is one the most recognized species with diverse biological activities. In this study, in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of essential oil from P. dioica (EO-Pd) was evaluated. The main compound was also included in the animal studies and its in silico prediction related to biological activities, molecular ligands, drug likeness, and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties are listed. The chemical composition analyzed by GC-MS retrieved 45 components, which the most abundant compound was the eugenol (80.1%). The EO-Pd was able to inhibit the growth of L. amazonensis (IC₅₀ = 9.7 ± 0.7 and 11.3 ± 2.1 µg/mL, promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively). The cytotoxicity assay showed a CC₅₀ of 104.5 ± 0.9 µg/mL and a selectivity index of 9. In the model of cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice, the effect of EO-Pd and eugenol was observed after treatment at 30 mg/kg by intralesional route with 5 administrations every 4 days. In the in silico predictions, some targets that justified the antileishmanial activity of eugenol and good drug like properties for this compound, were obtained. This study showed for first time the potential of EO-Pd to inhibit L. amazonensis, which could be linked to the activity of major compound eugenol. Full article

Carrier oils are used with essential oils to dilute and enhance skin penetration. They are composed of fatty acids, triglycerides, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes and are added to reduce potency and odor. Carrier oils have pharmaceutical applications and reduce cytotoxicity. Solvent extraction is a common practice in the production of industrial-scale carrier oils, but harmful to the environment, so new eco-friendly methods are being researched. This review documents the available characteristics of various carrier oils and identifies knowledge gaps for future studies. Full article