Composition and antimicrobial activity of root essential oil of Balkan endemic species Eryngium palmatum

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of the Iberian Peninsula Endemic Species Eryngium dilatatum Lam

Eryngium dilatatum Lam. is a thorny Iberian Peninsula endemic species belonging to the Apiaceae family that has not been previously analysed from a chemical point of view. Following our studies on this genus, we characterized the chemical composition of the essential oils from the different parts (inflorescences, stems + leaves, and roots) of this species; these parts were gathered in Cádiz (Spain). The specimens were collected in July during the flowering period and air-dried before the oil extraction by hydro-distillation. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The different parts of the plant yielded low amounts of pale yellow oil, with the roots being the fraction that provided the lowest amount of oil. The chemical characterization of the essential oils showed qualitative and quantitative differences between the fractions examined, but all of them showed the same principal compound, germacrene D (9.1-46.5%). Similarly, all the fractions shared most of their representative constituents, with their percentage compositions being different from one sample to the other: α-cadinol (3.8%), bicyclogermacrene (3.5%), octanal (3.1%), and spathulenol (2.5%) were found in the inflorescences; octanal (8.1%), α-cadinol (3.7%), δ-cadinene (3.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (2.6%), bicyclogermacrene (2.5%), and spathulenol (2.4%) were found in the stems and leaves; and spathulenol (4.6%), α-cadinol (4.4%), khusinol (3.2%), α-muurolol (3.1%), and δ-cadinene (2.6%) were found in the roots. As far as we know, this is the first report about the chemical composition of this endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula. It contributes to the knowledge of this species and to the genus to which it belongs. This species could be considered as a natural source of germacrene D, which is a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon with active properties.

Insecticidal properties of Ocimum basilicum and Mentha piperita essential oils against South American Tomato moth, Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelichiidae)

Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the most destructive pests of tomato, causing 100% yield loss in the absence of control measures. The important method of managing the pest is by using synthetic insecticides. However, intermittent and indiscriminate uses of certain insecticides have negative effect on the environment. Use of herbal insecticides such as secondary metabolites and essential oils is a key for sustainable long term crop protection. Investigation on the insecticidal properties of Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita essential oils (EOs) and their constituents was carried out against P. absoluta. The M. piperita EO showed highest mortality (100%) of P. absoluta with LC₅₀ 1.78 μl/ml due to alloaromadendrene (27.99%), levomenthol (18.31%) and santolina triene (9.78%). The O. basilicum EO also had significant mortality (90%) effect with LC₅₀ 3.58 μl/ml due to humulene (32.31%), alpha farnesense (27.22%), estragole (19.24%) and 4-cerene (10.61%). Among binary compounds, levomenthol showed highest mortality (100%) having LC₅₀ 13.18 μl/ml followed by alpha-pinene (100%) with LC₅₀ 16.10 μl/ml, 4-cerene (95%) with LC₅₀ 38.20 μl/ml and alpha-phellandrene (90%) having LC₅₀ 46.83 μl/ml. The observed toxicity in all compounds was due to significant changes in the activity of esterases, glutathione S-transferase and acetylcholine esterases over the time. The present study suggests that O. basilium and M. piperita EOs would provide an additional approach for the management of P. absoluta over synthetic insecticides.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Flowers of Eryngium triquetrum (Apiaceae) Collected Wild in Sicily

The chemical composition of the essential oil from flowers of Eringium triquetrum Vahl. collected in Sicily was evaluated by GC and GC-MS. The main components were pulegone (50.6%), piperitenone (30.5%) and menthone (7.0%). Comparison of this oil with other studied oils of Eringium species is discussed. The oil showed good antibacterial and antifungal activities against some microorganisms that infest historical art works.

Blessings in disguise: a review of phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of plants belonging to the genus Eryngium

Medicinal and edible plants play a crucial role in the prevention and/or mitigation of different human diseases from ancient times to today. In folk medicine, there are different plants used for infectious disease treatment. During the past two decades, much attention has been paid to plants as novel alternative therapeutic agents for the treatment of infectious diseases due to their bioactive natural compounds such as phenol, flavonoids, tannins, etc. The genus Eryngium (Apiaceae) contains more than 250 flowering plant species, which are commonly used as edible and medicinal plants in different countries. In fact, some genus Eryngium species are used as spices and are cultivated throughout the world and others species are used for the treatment of hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, burns, fevers, diarrhea, malaria, etc. Phytochemical analysis has shown that genus Eryngium species are a rich source of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids. Moreover, eryngial, one the most important and major compounds of genus Eryngium plant essential oil, possesses a significant antibacterial effect. Thus, the objective of this review is to critically review the scientific literature on the phytochemical composition and antibacterial effects of the genus Eryngium plants. In addition, we provide some information about traditional uses, cultivation, as well as phytochemistry.