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Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 23383

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Prof. Dr. N. Hudz

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1. Department of Drug Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
2. Department of Pharmacy and Ecological Chemistry, University of Opole, 45-052 Opole, Poland
Interests: herbal preparations; essential oil; bee keeping products; pharmaceutical development; sterile dosage forms; validation of analytical procedures; standartyzation of medicinal products

Dr. Mariia Shanaida

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Department of Pharmacognosy and Medical Botany, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
Interests: medicinal plants; phytochemistry; terpenoids; phenolic compounds; herbal drug development; natural products; nutraceuticals; antioxidants; biological activities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Izabela Jasicka-Misiak

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Department of Pharmacy and Ecological Chemistry, University of Opole, 45-052 Opole, Poland
Interests: natural products chemistry; phytochemistry; food chemistry; beekeeping products; herbal preparations; GC-MS
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Essential oils are a complex mixture of plant volatile compounds which are mainly terpenoids or phenolic compounds. These compounds are synthesized in dedicated cell types present in almost all parts of the plant, from roots and leaves to flowers and fruits. There is a huge difference between chemotypes of the same plant collected in different locations or different periods of time during the same day or during different maturity stages. Therefore, revealing the features of biosynthesis of some of the components of essential oils depends on various factors, such as the discovery of new chemotypes, description of new cultivars, and studies of biological activity of essential oils, and is a topical issue for agriculture, the physiology of plants, botany, pharmacognosy, pharmacy, medicine, and other fields of science.

Some essential oils are screened as potential sources of biocompounds with various biological activities, including antimicrobial, sedative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, etc.

This Special Issue is therefore of interest not only to those involved in the cultivation and processing of aromatic plants, but also to botanists, physiologists and biochemists of plants, natural product chemists, pharmacognosists, and developers of herbal products, as well as technologists in the field of food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Prof. Dr. N. Hudz
Dr. Maria Shanaida
Prof. Dr. Izabela Jasicka-Misiak
Guest Editors

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Keywords

essential oils
volatile constituents
chemical characterization
chemotypes
herbal preparations
gas chromatography
biological activity
mode of action

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Essential Oil from the Leaves, Fruits and Twigs of Schinus terebinthifolius: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential

by Kátia C. Oliveira, Lidaiane M. S. S. Franciscato, Suelen S. Mendes, Francielly M. A. Barizon, Daniela D. Gonçalves, Lidiane N. Barbosa, Maria G. I. Faria, Juliana S. Valle, Rhaira F. A. Casalvara, José E. Gonçalves, Zilda C. Gazim and Suelen P. Ruiz

Molecules 2024, 29(2), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29020469 - 17 Jan 2024

Viewed by 870

Abstract

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, popularly known as “Pink pepper”, is a plant native to Brazil. The objective of this work was to analyze the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of essential oils (EOs) from the leaves, fruits and twigs of S. terebinthifolius, aiming for their application in food safety. EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Phenolic compounds were quantified and antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods. The antibacterial activity was determined by the broth microdilution method against foodborne bacteria. In the chemical analysis, 22 compounds were identified in the leaves, 13 compounds in the fruits and 37 compounds in the twigs, revealing the presence of the main compounds germacrene D (12.04%, 15.78%, 20,41%), caryophyllene (15.97%, 3.12%, 11.73%), α-pinene (11.6%, 17.16%, 2.99%), β-pinene (5.68%, 43.34%, 5.60%) and γ-gurjunene (16,85%, 3,15%) respectively. EOs showed better antioxidant potential using the β-carotene/linoleic acid method with 40.74, 61.52 and 63.65% oxidation inhibition for leaves, fruits and twigs, respectively. The EO from the leaves showed greater antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.62 mg mL⁻¹, a value lower than the MIC of sodium nitrite (5.00 mg mL⁻¹), the antimicrobial standard synthetic. The activities of pink pepper EOs suggest their potential as a biopreservative in foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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16 pages, 3644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Essential Oil-Loaded Polymeric Nanocapsules as Skin Delivery Systems: Biophysical Parameters and Dermatokinetics Ex Vivo Evaluation

by Perla Giovanna Silva-Flores, Sergio Arturo Galindo-Rodríguez, Luis Alejandro Pérez-López and Rocío Álvarez-Román

Molecules 2023, 28(20), 7142; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28207142 - 18 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 998

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) are natural antioxidant alternatives that reduce skin damage. However, EOs are highly volatile; therefore, their nanoencapsulation represents a feasible alternative to increase their stability and favor their residence time on the skin to guarantee their effect. In this study, EOs of Rosmarinus officinalis and Lavandula dentata were nanoencapsulated and evaluated as skin delivery systems with potential antioxidant activity. The EOs were characterized and incorporated into polymeric nanocapsules (NC-EOs) using nanoprecipitation. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ferric thiocyanate method. The ex vivo effects on pig skin were evaluated based on biophysical parameters using bioengineering techniques. An ex vivo dermatokinetic evaluation on pig skin was performed using modified Franz cells and the tape-stripping technique. The results showed that the EOs had good antioxidant activity (>65%), which was maintained after nanoencapsulation and purification. The nanoencapsulation of the EOs favored its deposition in the stratum corneum compared to free EOs; the highest deposition rate was obtained for 1,8-cineole, a major component of L. dentata, at 1 h contact time, compared to R. officinalis with a major deposition of the camphor component. In conclusion, NC-EOs can be used as an alternative antioxidant for skin care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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13 pages, 2860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Composition, Free-Radical-Scavenging Capacity, and Antibiosis of Fresh and Dry Leave Aqueous Extract from Michelia shiluensis

by Wentao Wu, Gaoyu Li, Weijuan Zhou, Enbo Wang, Xia Zhao, Xiqiang Song and Ying Zhao

Molecules 2023, 28(16), 5935; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28165935 - 08 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1004

Abstract

Numerous plants of medicinal value grow on Hainan Island (China). Given the lack of knowledge on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Michelia shiluensis Chun and Y. F. Wu (M. shiluensis), the application of natural antioxidants and antimicrobials in the food industry has attracted increasing interest. This study aimed to compare the chemical composition, free-radical-scavenging capacity, and antibiosis of aqueous extracts of the fresh and dried leaves of M. shiluensis. The aqueous extract of the leaves of M. shiluensis was obtained using steam distillation, and its chemical components were separated and identified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The free-radical-scavenging capacity and antibiosis were determined. Further, 28 and 20 compounds were isolated from the fresh leaf aqueous extract of M. shiluensis (MSFLAE) and dried leaf aqueous extract of M. shiluensis (MSDLAE), respectively. The free-radical-scavenging capacity of MSFLAE and MSDLAE was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, which was 43.43% and 38.74%, respectively. The scavenging capacity of MSFLAE and MSDLAE determined by the 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS)) method was 46.90% and 25.99%, respectively. The iron ion reduction capacity of MSFLAE and MSDLAE was determined by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method as 94.7 and 62.9 μmol Fe²⁺/L, respectively. This indicated that the two leaf aqueous extracts had a certain free-radical-scavenging capacity, and the capacity of MSFLAE was higher than that of MSDLAE. The antibiosis of the two leaf aqueous extracts on the three foodborne pathogenic bacteria was low, but the antimicrobial effects on Gram-positive bacteria were better than those on Gram-negative bacteria. The antibiosis of MSFLAE on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was greater than that of MSDLAE. Finally, MSFLAE and MSDLAE both had certain free-radical-scavenging capacities and antibiosis, confirming that the use of this plant in the research and development of natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents was reasonable. Plant aqueous extracts are an essential source of related phytochemistry and have immense pharmacological potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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27 pages, 7001 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mesosphaerum suaveolens Essential Oil Attenuates Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages by Regulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway

by Omprakash Mohanta, Asit Ray, Sudipta Jena, Ambika Sahoo, Soumya Swarup Panda, Prabhat Kumar Das, Sanghamitra Nayak and Pratap Chandra Panda

Molecules 2023, 28(15), 5817; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28155817 - 02 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1702

Abstract

Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze (Syn. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit.) is a wild essential-oil-bearing plant having multiple uses in traditional medicine, perfumery, food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries. The present paper is the first report on the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of the leaf essential oil of M. suaveolens (MSLEO) and unravels its molecular mechanism in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil (EO) isolated from the leaves by hydro-distillation led to the identification of 48 constituents, accounting for 90.55% of the total oil, and β-caryophyllene (16.17%), phyllocladene (11.85%), abietatriene (11.46%), and spathulenol (7.89%) were found to be the major components. MSLEO treatment had no effect on the viability of RAW 264.7 cells up to a concentration of 100 μg/mL, and the EO was responsible for a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines like IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, a decrease in intracellular ROS production, and the restoration of oxidative damage by elevating the levels of endogenous antioxidative enzymes like CAT, SOD, GPx, and GSH. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that MSLEO reduced the mRNA expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 as compared to the LPS-induced group. In addition, a confocal microscopy analysis showed that MSLEO inhibited the translocation of NF-κB from the cytosol to the nucleus. The results of this experiment demonstrate that MSLEO possesses significant anti-inflammatory potential by preventing the activation of NF-κB, which, in turn, inhibits the downstream expression of other inflammatory mediators associated with the activation of the NF-κB pathway in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, the leaf essential oil of M. suaveolens may prove to be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammation, and targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway may be considered as an attractive approach for anti-inflammatory therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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14 pages, 705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Activities and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from Hedyosmum purpurascens (Todzia)—An Endemic Plant in Ecuador

by James Calva, Luis Cartuche, Leydy Nathaly Castillo and Vladimir Morocho

Molecules 2023, 28(5), 2366; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052366 - 04 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1657

Abstract

Hedyosmum purpurascens is an endemic species found in the Andes of Ecuador and it is characterized by its pleasant smell. In this study, essential oil (EO) from H. purpurascens was obtained by the hydro-distillation method with a Clevenger-type apparatus. The identification of the chemical composition was carried out by GC–MS and GC–FID in two capillary columns, DB-5ms and HP-INNOWax. A total of 90 compounds were identified, representing more than 98% of the total chemical composition. Germacrene-D, ϒ-terpinene, α-phellandrene, sabinene, O-cymene, 1,8-cineole and α-pinene accounted for more than 59% of the EO composition. The enantioselective analysis of the EO revealed the occurrence of (+)-α-pinene as a pure enantiomer; in addition, four pairs of enantiomers were found (α-phellandrene, o-cymene, limonene and myrcene). The biological activity against microbiological strains and antioxidants and the anticholinesterase properties were also evaluated and the EO showed a moderate anticholinesterase and antioxidant effect, with an IC₅₀ value of 95.62 ± 1.03 µg/mL and a SC₅₀ value of 56.38 ± 1.96. A poor antimicrobial effect was observed for all the strains, with MIC values over 1000 µg/mL. Based on our results, the H. purpurasens EO presented remarkable antioxidant and AChE activities. Despite these promising results, further research seems essential to validate the safety of this medicinal species as a function of dose and time. Experimental studies on the mechanisms of action are essential to validate its pharmacological properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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12 pages, 1206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Savory, Oregano and Thyme Essential Oil Mixture (HerbELICO^®) Counteracts Helicobacter pylori

by Ivan Nikolić, Eng Guan Chua, Alfred Chin Yen Tay, Aleksandra Kostrešević, Bojan Pavlović and Katarina Jončić Savić

Molecules 2023, 28(5), 2138; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052138 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5227

Abstract

Fifty percent of the world’s population is infected with Helicobacter pylori, which can trigger many gastrointestinal disorders. H. pylori eradication therapy consists of two to three antimicrobial medicinal products, but they exhibit limited efficacy and may cause adverse side effects. Alternative therapies are urgent. It was assumed that an essential oil mixture, obtained from species from genera Satureja L., Origanum L. and Thymus L. and called the HerbELICO^® essential oil mixture, could be useful in H. pylori infection treatment. HerbELICO^® was analyzed by GC-MS and assessed in vitro against twenty H. pylori clinical strains isolated from patients of different geographical origins and with different antimicrobial medicinal products resistance profiles, and for its ability to penetrate the artificial mucin barrier. A customer case study included 15 users of HerbELICO^® liquid/HerbELICO^® solid dietary supplements (capsulated HerbELICO^® mixture in liquid/solid form). Carvacrol and thymol were the most dominant compounds (47.44% and 11.62%, respectively), together with p-cymene (13.35%) and γ-terpinene (18.20%). The minimum concentration required to inhibit in vitro H. pylori growth by HerbELICO^® was 4–5% (v/v); 10 min exposure to HerbELICO^® was enough to kill off the examined H. pylori strains, while HerbELICO^® was able to penetrate through mucin. A high eradication rate (up to 90%) and acceptance by consumers was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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13 pages, 1940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prolonged Repellent Activity of Plant Essential Oils against Dengue Vector, Aedes aegypti

by Abdullah Haris, Muhammad Azeem, Muhammad Ghazanfar Abbas, Muhammad Mumtaz, Raimondas Mozūratis and Muhammad Binyameen

Molecules 2023, 28(3), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031351 - 31 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2441

Abstract

Repellents are effective personal protective means against outdoor biting mosquitoes. Repellent formulations composed of EOs are finding increased popularity among consumers. In this study, after an initial screening of 11 essential oils (EOs) at the concentration of 33 μg/cm², five of the most repellent EOs, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Citrus reticulata (fruit peels), C. reticulata (leaves), Mentha longifolia, and Dysphania ambrosioides were further investigated for repellent activity against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in time span bioassays. When tested at the concentrations of 33 μg/cm², 165 μg/cm² and 330 μg/cm², the EO of P. atriplicifolia showed the longest repellent effect up to 75, 90 and 135 min, respectively, which was followed by C. reticulata (peels) for 60, 90 and 120 min, M. longifolia for 45, 60 and 90 min, and C. reticulata (leaves) for 30, 45 and 75 min. Notably, the EO of P. atriplicifolia tested at the dose of 330 μg/cm² showed complete protection for 60 min which was similar to the commercial mosquito repellent DEET. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of the EOs revealed camphor (19.7%), limonene (92.7%), sabinene (24.9%), carvone (82.6%), and trans-ascaridole (38.8%) as the major constituents of P. atriplicifolia, C. reticulata (peels), C. reticulata (leaves), M. longifolia, and D. ambrosioides, respectively. The results of the present study could help develop plant-based commercial repellents to protect humans from dengue mosquitoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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Review

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27 pages, 773 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mentha piperita: Essential Oil and Extracts, Their Biological Activities, and Perspectives on the Development of New Medicinal and Cosmetic Products

by Nataliia Hudz, Lesya Kobylinska, Katarzyna Pokajewicz, Vladimira Horčinová Sedláčková, Roman Fedin, Mariia Voloshyn, Iryna Myskiv, Ján Brindza, Piotr Paweł Wieczorek and Jacek Lipok

Molecules 2023, 28(21), 7444; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28217444 - 06 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3174

Abstract

This review aims to analyze Mentha piperita L. as a potential raw material for the development of new health-promoting products (nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products). A lot of scientific publications were retrieved from the Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases which enable the study and generalization of the extraction procedures, key biologically active compounds of essential oil and extracts, biological properties, and therapeutic potential of M. piperita, along with perspectives on the development of its dosage forms, including combinations of synthetic active substances and herbal preparations of M. piperita. The results of this review indicate that M. piperita is a source rich in phytoconstituents of different chemical nature and can be regarded as a source of active substances to enhance health and to develop medicinal products for complementary therapy of various conditions, especially those related with oxidant stress, inflammation, and moderate infections. Essential oil has a broad spectrum of activities. Depending on the test and concentration, this essential oil has both anti- and prooxidant properties. Gram-positive bacteria are more sensitive to the essential oil of M. piperita than Gram-negative ones. This review also considered some facets of the standardization of essential oil and extracts of M. piperita. Among the identified phenolics of extracts were caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, eriocitrin, luteolin derivates (luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoronide), and hesperidin. The concentration of these phenolics depends on the solvent used. This review also considered the relationships between the chemical component and biological activity. The results showed that the essential oil and extracts reduced inflammation in vitro by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and in vivo by reducing the paw edema induced using carrageenan injection in rats. Therefore, herbal preparations of M. piperita are promising medicinal and cosmetic preparations for their usage in skincare and oral cavity care products with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. This plant can also be regarded as a platform for the development of antibacterial preparations and combined anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective medicinal products (synthetic active substances plus herbal preparations). This review could be considered for the justification of the composition of some medicinal products during their pharmaceutical development for writing a registration dossier in the format of Common Technical Document. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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25 pages, 2472 KiB

Open AccessReview

Emerging Insights into the Applicability of Essential Oils in the Management of Acne Vulgaris

by Alexa Florina Bungau, Andrei-Flavius Radu, Simona Gabriela Bungau, Cosmin Mihai Vesa, Delia Mirela Tit, Anamaria Lavinia Purza and Laura Maria Endres

Molecules 2023, 28(17), 6395; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176395 - 01 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2774

Abstract

The occurrence of pustules, comedones, nodules, and cysts defines acne vulgaris, a prevalent chronic inflammatory dermatological condition. In the past few decades, essential oils extracted from varied natural sources have acquired recognition due to their potential medicinal applications in acne therapy. However, there is not yet sufficient medical data to fully characterize this interaction. Multiple factors contribute to the development of acne vulgaris, including excessive sebaceous production, inflammatory processes, hyperkeratinization, and infection with Cutibacterium acnes. Essential oils, including oregano, lavender, lemon grass, myrtle, lemon, thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, and tea tree, have been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which may target the multifactorial causes of acne. Analytical methods for determining antioxidant potential (i.e., total phenolic content, diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, ferrous ion chelating activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay, β-carotene bleaching assay, etc.) are essential for the evaluation of these essential oils, and their method optimization is crucial. Further studies could include the development of novel acne treatments incorporating essential oils and an assessment of their efficacy in large clinical trials. In addition, further research is necessary to ascertain the mechanisms of action of essential oils and their optimal doses and safety profiles for optimal implementation in the management of acne vulgaris. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Essential Oils: From Extraction to Application)

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