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Artemisia serotina Bunge represents one of the endemic Artemisia L. species in flora of Central Asia. There is scant information on the phytochemistry and biological activity of this species. The aim of the present study was to analyze the chemical composition of essential oil from A. serotina (ASEO) growing in south Kazakhstan, together with the determination of its biological activity. ASEO isolation was carried out by hydrodistillation according to the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Analysis of GC/MS data revealed that the most characteristic components of ASEO were irregular monoterpenes from three families: santolinane, artemisane, and lavandulane. The major compound was santolina alcohol (34.6%). Antimicrobial activity was studied against the reference bacterial and fungal strains using the recommended methods, allowing for an estimation of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration). ASEO was most effective against Candida albicans (MIC = 2 mg/mL), exerting fungicidal activity. Thw MIC for bacterial species was higher, i.e., 4–16 mg/mL. Antiviral activity was tested against Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and Human Herpesvirus type 1 (HHV-1) propagated in VERO cells. No antiviral effect against either virus was found at an ASEO concentration of 0.25 mg/mL, but a noticeable decrease in the intensity of HHV-1-related cytopathic effects was observed. Anticancer activity studies included several cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity, cell cycle, thiol levels, and cell vitality were analyzed. Among the cancer cell lines tested, the breast cancer T47-D cell line exhibited the highest sensitivity to ASEO (IC₅₀ = 40.81 ± 4.21 µg/mL at 24 h; IC₅₀ = 33.17 ± 2.11 µg/mL at 48 h). The anticancer effect was suggested to be mainly due to the induction of cytostatic effects, accompanied by a disturbance of the intracellular redox balance. The obtained data provide novel information on the unique chemical composition of ASEO from south Kazakhstan, representing a new chemotype. Its bioactivity, including promising antifungal and anticancer properties, was demonstrated for the first time. Full article

As they continuously evolve, plants will remain a renewable source for antimicrobial compounds. Omani frankincense is produced by B. sacra trees and is graded into Hojari, Nejdi, Shazri or Sha’bi. Air can be a source for pathogenic or food spoilage microbes; thus, inactivating airborne microbes is necessary in environments such as food and animal production areas. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity and the chemistry of steam-distilled oils of Hojari and Sha’bi grades. It also analyzed the antimicrobial activity of frankincense smoke and the size of its solid particles. Chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the oils against Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 6571), Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli (NCTC 10418), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCTC 10662), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani was determined using well diffusion and micro-well dilution methods. A microscopic technique was used to determine the size of frankincense smoke solid particles. Microbes were exposed to frankincense smoke to test their susceptibility to the smoke. Hojari and Sha’bi oils were similar in composition and contained monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The Hojari and the Sha’bi oils possessed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. The largest growth inhibition zones were obtained with S. cerevisiae and F. solani. An MIC of 1.56% (v/v) was found with E. coli, S. cerevisiae and F. solani. Frankincense smoke contained fine irregular solid particles with a diameter range of 0.8–2287.4 µm, and thus may pose a health risk to susceptible individuals. The smoke had potent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and airborne bacteria, yeast and mold, with a maximum inhibition of 100%. It was concluded that Hojari and Sha’bi frankincense oils and smoke had significant antimicrobial activity that can be exploited in controlling human, animal and plant pathogenic microbes. Full article