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14 pages, 712 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Chemical Composition, Enantiomeric Profile, Antibacterial, Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity of the Essential Oil of Aloysia triphylla Royle

by Cinthia Mejia-Ramos, Julio Reynaldo Ruiz-Quiroz, Maria Elena Salazar-Salvatierra, James Calva, Eddie Loyola-Gonzales, Haydee Chávez, Javier Hernán Chavez-Espinoza, Josefa Bertha Pari-Olarte, José Santiago Almeida-Galindo and Oscar Herrera-Calderon

Molecules 2025, 30(13), 2849; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30132849 - 3 Jul 2025

Viewed by 468

Abstract

Aloysia triphylla is widely used in traditional medicine from Peru for its sedative, digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. However, comprehensive studies on the biological activities of its essential oil (EO), particularly from Peruvian sources, remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition and enantiomeric profile of A. triphylla EO and evaluate its antibacterial, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and cytotoxic activities. The EO was obtained by steam distillation and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 62 compounds were identified, with (E)-caryophyllene (16.80%), β-pinene (9.96%), and germacrene D (10.00%) being the major components. Enantiomeric analysis revealed specific chiral signatures, including (−)-α-pinene, (+)-limonene, and (R)-(−)-linalool. The EO exhibited significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 5 µg/mL), and weak antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 7720 and 4648 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS, respectively). Additionally, the EO demonstrated moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 87.8 µg/mL) and cytotoxicity in the Artemia salina assay (LC₅₀ = 964 µg/mL). These findings suggest that A. triphylla EO possesses promising bioactivities with potential applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils—Third Edition)

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19 pages, 7513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Effect of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Medicinal Plant Extracts against Resistant Bacterial Strains

by Sereen M.B. Bataineh, Isam M. Arafa, Samya M. Abu-Zreg, Mohammad M. Al-Gharaibeh, Hanan M. Hammouri, Yaser H. Tarazi and Homa Darmani

Magnetochemistry 2024, 10(7), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry10070049 - 12 Jul 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1998

Abstract

Nanoparticles are emerging as a fascinating alternative to antibiotics. When stabilized by chemical compounds, magnetite nanoparticles (MagNPs) consistently exhibit bactericidal effects across different types of bacteria. This study describes the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial properties of magnetite MagNPs prepared by the coprecipitation method under continuous sonication. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques revealed Fe₃O₄-NPs as spherical, uniform particles with an average size of approximately 16 nm. The antibacterial efficacy of MagNPs was investigated by combining them with methanolic extracts of three medicinal plants known for their antibacterial properties: Aloysia triphylla, Sarcopoterium spinosum, and Urtica pilulifera. The combined effect was assessed against both wild type and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial synergistic effect of MagNPs and plant extracts was evaluated by the MIC test, which showed significant inhibitory properties against the growth of the four bacterial strains as compared to control samples of plant extracts alone. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of MagNPs combined with extracts from Rosmarinus officinalis, Anchusa azurea, Quercus infectoria, and Urtica pilulifera significantly prevented biofilm development in both sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Full article

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12 pages, 2008 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exposure of Hyalella bonariensis (Crustacea, Amphipoda) to Essential Oils: Effects on Anesthesia and Swimming Activity

by Alessandra Janaína Becker, Sandro Santos, Berta Maria Heinzmann, Braulio Otomar Caron and Bernardo Baldisserotto

Fishes 2023, 8(3), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8030149 - 2 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2247

Abstract

Amphipods are frequently used as bioindicators of water quality in experimental or behavior trials. Thus, it is a group considered suitable for use as a model organism in tests with essential oils (EOs). This study evaluated the time required for anesthesia induction and recovery of the amphipod crustacean H. bonariensis exposed to the essential oils of Aloysia triphylla (EOAT) and Lippia alba (EOLA), and their major compounds citral and linalool, respectively. In addition, we evaluated the locomotor activity of amphipods using ANY-maze^® software. Mortalities were observed at concentrations of 100 and 200 µL/L of citral (50.0 ± 0.39%) and 750 µL/L of EOLA (66.7 ± 0.33%). Except for linalool, increased concentrations of the compounds of the essential oils decreased the time for sedation and anesthesia induction. There were differences for the induction of anesthesia (p < 0.05) and recovery (p < 0.05) between EOLA and linalool treatments, but not between that for EOAT and citral. Reduced locomotor activity and longer time and episodes of freezing were observed in animals exposed to EOAT. The EOs and their major compounds induced anesthesia and affected the locomotor activity of H. bonariensis, Therefore, EOAT and linalool are recommended for anesthesia of this species. EOAT can also be utilized in long-term exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Welfare, Health and Disease)

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23 pages, 3481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contribution of Phenolics and Free Amino Acids on the Antioxidant Profile of Commercial Lemon Verbena Infusions

by Juliana A. Barreto Peixoto, Gerardo Álvarez-Rivera, Anabela S. G. Costa, Susana Machado, Alejandro Cifuentes, Elena Ibáñez, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira and Rita C. Alves

Antioxidants 2023, 12(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020251 - 22 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2557

Abstract

Lemon verbena infusions are widely appreciated due to their agreeable lemony flavor and medicinal properties. In this study, the antioxidant potential, phenolic profile, and free amino acid profile of lemon verbena infusions from different commercial brands were studied. Characterization by UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS allowed the identification of 34 phenolics. The free amino acid profile (by RP-HPLC-FLD) was assessed for the first time, allowing the quantification of 16 amino acids. Furthermore, the infusions showed high antioxidant activity by different assays (ferric reducing antioxidant power, DPPH^• scavenging, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays), which in turn were significantly correlated with total phenolics and total flavonoid contents. Notwithstanding, phenylalanine seemed to have also an impact on the antioxidant activity of the infusions, with significant correlations found. Finally, significant differences were found in all the evaluated parameters for one of the four commercial brands herein studied, which was possibly related to the different geographical origins of this sample. Overall, these lemon verbena infusions proved to be rich in a huge variety of bioactive compounds that can provide therapeutic potential. Full article

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16 pages, 304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Staphylococcus and Malassezia Strains Isolated from Canine Dermatitis

by Valentina Virginia Ebani, Fabrizio Bertelloni, Basma Najar, Simona Nardoni, Luisa Pistelli and Francesca Mancianti

Microorganisms 2020, 8(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8020252 - 13 Feb 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 6190

Abstract

Staphylococcus spp. bacteria are the most frequently involved agents in canine cutaneous infections. Treatment of these infections is based on antibiotic therapy, that often is not effective because of the antibiotic-resistance of the bacterial strains. Cutaneous staphylococcal infections are often complicated by Malassezia yeasts, that may be resistant to the conventional antifungal drugs. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of some essential oils (EOs) in view of a potential cutaneous application. In detail, EOs obtained from lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla L’Hèr. Britton), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum J. Presl), myrrh (Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. var. molmol), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf), litsea (Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), savory (Satureja montana L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) were assayed against Staphylococcus spp. and Malassezia pachydermatis strains previously isolated from dogs with dermatitis. All EOs were tested by agar disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods to verify the antistaphylococcal activity, and by a microdilution method to evaluate the activity against M. pachydermatis. O. vulgare, T. vulgaris, and S. montana showed the best antibacterial activity against all the selected strains, with MICs ranging from 0.29 to 0.58 mg/mL, from 0.58 to 1.16 mg/mL, and from 0.56 to 1.12 mg/mL, respectively, whereas A. triphylla (1.03 mg/mL) and S. montana (1.8 mg/mL) were the most active against M. pachydermatis. After a proper in vivo evaluation, O. vulgare, T. vulgaris, and S. montana EOs could be a promising treatment to combat canine cutaneous mixed infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus Infection)

9 pages, 250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Salmonella enterica Serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium Strains Isolated from Poultry

by Valentina Virginia Ebani, Simona Nardoni, Fabrizio Bertelloni, Giovanni Tosi, Paola Massi, Luisa Pistelli and Francesca Mancianti

Molecules 2019, 24(5), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24050900 - 4 Mar 2019

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 5203

Abstract

Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis and S. enterica serotype Typhimurium are frequently present among poultry and are associated with outbreaks of human salmonellosis. The study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from Aloysia triphylla, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cymbopogon citratus, Litsea cubeba, Mentha piperita, Syzygium aromaticum against S. Enteritidis and S. Thyphimurium strains previously isolated from poultry. A 1:1 mixture of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum was also tested. The activity of all compounds was evaluated against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly used as probiotic. The highest antibacterial activity was observed for C. zeylanicum (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1.26 mg/mL to 0.63 mg/mL), S. aromaticum (MICs from 2.637 mg/mL to 0.164 mg/mL) and the mixture (MICs from 1.289 mg/mL to 0.322 mg/mL). No activity was recorded against S. cerevisiae. The results suggest a possible use of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum, alone or in combination, in the farm environment for disinfection and in poultry diet, combined with S. cerevisiae administration, for an integrated approach to avoid Salmonella intestinal colonization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Active Agents Against Bacteria, Fungi and Parasites)

8 pages, 651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel HPLC Method for Direct Detection of Nitric Oxide Scavengers from Complex Plant Matrices and Its Application to Aloysia triphylla Leaves

by Didier Fraisse, Alexandra Degerine-Roussel, Alexis Bred, Samba Fama Ndoye, Magali Vivier, Catherine Felgines and François Senejoux

Molecules 2018, 23(7), 1574; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23071574 - 28 Jun 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5024

Abstract

The present study aimed at developing an original pre-column HPLC assay allowing rapid characterization of nitric oxide (NO) scavengers from complex plant extracts. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was employed as a NO donor and spiked with an aqueous extract from Aloysia triphylla leaves prior to HPLC analysis. Relying on the ability of radical scavenging constituents to be oxidized upon reaction with radicals, this assay successfully allowed direct identification of three potential NO scavengers, including verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and luteolin-7-O-diglucuronide. These three phenolics were also individually assessed for their NO scavenging activities by using a Griess colorimetric assay. With respective IC₅₀ values of 56 ± 4, 51 ± 3, and 69 ± 5 µg/mL, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and luteolin-7-O-diglucuronide were all reported as potent NO scavenging compounds, confirming the efficiency of the SNP spiking HPLC assay. The present method can, thus, be considered as a valuable and effective approach for speeding up the discovery of NO scavenging constituents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extractable and Non-Extractable Antioxidants)

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