ON-SITE monitoring OF BVOCS emission in Tremiti island, Italy.

A measurement campaign was conducted on San Domino Island, part of the Tremiti Islands archipelago, located in Foggia, Italy. The area is almost entirely covered by vegetation, dominated by the following main species: Juniperus turbinata, Helichrysum italicum, Myrtus communis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Pistacia lentiscus and Pinus halepensis.This study focused on the BVOCs emitted by plants and the ground, employing a simple, economical, and efficient sampling and analysis method. The main known BVOC species emitted by Mediterranean plant species as α-pinene, ß-pinene, camphene and limonene were detected. The measurements highlighted a daily complementarity between plant and soil emissions. The daily variations in BVOCs emitted by both plants and the soil are differ, ensuring an almost constant concentration throughout the day. At the same time, the composition of sea spray aerosol (SSA) was also measured. The measurement sites were selected based on botanical characterization to account for the predominant species on San Domino Island, and the sampling was conducted at human height to accurately identify the species for potential use. The combination of beneficial effects of the substances emitted by plant species and soil, along with the simultaneous presence of SSA, are factors that could enhance the effectiveness of forest therapy in a previously unexplored location.

A bicentric cohort study comparing umbilical cord and neonatal blood samples for chemistry tests at birth.

OBJECTIVES: To compare umbilical cord and neonatal blood for chemistry tests upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: We designed a prospective, bicentric cohort study enrolling newborns (n = 71) with a planned admission to the NICU. Paired samples of umbilical cord and infant's blood were collected, analyzed, and compared. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for a repeatability analysis, and a Bland-Altman analysis was performed to assess the agreement between the 2 methods of sampling. The multivariable coefficient of determination (R2) was reported to quantify the degree of correlation between the methods of measurement. RESULTS: The degree of agreement between the 2 sampling methods for chemistry tests was fair to good for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (ICC = 0.79 [95% CI, 0.67-0.87]), phosphorus (ICC = 0.83 [95% CI, 0.73-0.90]), and albumin (ICC = 0.76 [95% CI, 0.60-0.86]), while it was good to excellent for γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (ICC = 0.95 [95% CI, 0.88-0.98]) and procalcitonin (ICC = 0.90 [95% CI, 0.76-0.96]). CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical cord blood is a reliable replacement source for multiple chemistry tests at birth. This sampling method has the potential to minimize the risk of transfusion-requiring anemia in newborns and its associated complications. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of this strategy in improving neonatal outcomes.

Alinity hq platelet count is not impacted by severe microcytosis.

BACKGROUND: Impedance technology has been shown to overestimate platelet (PLT) count in samples with microcytes, while the optical-fluorescence PLT count (PLT-F) by Sysmex has been suggested to be unaffected by microcytosis. The Abbott Alinity hq analyzer employs multi-dimensional optical PLT counting. Our goal was to assess the accuracy of this technology in microcytic samples. METHODS: Platelet measurements were performed by Alinity hq and the impedance (PLT-I) and PLT-F methods on a Sysmex XN-3000 analyzer on 464 samples. PLT concentration range was 6.56-947 × 109 /L and mean cell volume (MCV) 40.9-123.0 fL. Samples were categorized into normocytic (MCV > 80 fL), microcytic (MCV 65-80 fL), and severely microcytic (MCV < 65 fL) groups. RESULTS: Alinity hq PLT count showed excellent agreement with PLT-F (r = 1.00). Sysmex PLT-I data showed somewhat weaker correlation with both PLT-F and Alinity hq (r = 0.98). Increasing bias between Sysmex PLT-I and PLT-F was seen with decreasing MCV values, with mean bias of 35.2 × 109 /L in severe microcytosis. An inverse relationship was demonstrated between the PLT-I versus PLT-F bias and MCV (p < 0.0001). Consistent mean bias was observed between Alinity hq and PLT-F across all MCV ranges. Mean platelet volume was suppressed or flagged by Sysmex XN in 50% of the samples in the severely microcytic group, and markedly higher red cell distribution width (RDW) was reported compared to Alinity hq (18.1% vs 13.7%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The Sysmex PLT-I method overestimated the PLT count in samples with severe microcytosis. Alinity hq provided PLT counts and PLT and RBC indices that were not impacted by microcytosis.

Clinical utility of Abbott Alinity hq extended red blood cell parameters in differentiating ß-thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anemia.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of the Abbott Alinity hq advanced multi angle polarized scatter separation (MAPSSTM )-based optical RBC technology, for the differentiation between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and ß-thalassemia carrier status. METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-four samples were analyzed. 228 were healthy controls, 30 were ß-thalassemia carriers, and 40 were IDA. Receiver operating characteristics analysis evaluated the performance of red cell parameters and mathematical formulas. RESULTS: RBC concentration was the most efficient discriminant (area under the curve; AUC of 0.963, Youden Index of 0.88) followed by red blood cell distribution width in size distribution (AUC of 0.960 and YI of 0.86), and red blood cell distribution width coefficient of variation (AUC of 0.924, and YI of 0.74). The absolute reticulocyte concentration showed good diagnostic efficiency, with AUC of 0.808. Hemoglobin distribution width, the %CV of directly measured cellular hemoglobin concentration, and CHCr, the average hemoglobin concentration of reticulocytes have emerged as novel discriminating parameters, with AUC of 0.749 and 0.785, respectively. The England and Fraser index was the best discriminating mathematical formula based on Youden Index of 0.91. The Ricerca, red blood cell distribution width index, Green and King, and Mentzner Index formulas also showed strong discriminative power. The Shine and Lal index, together with the recent mathematical formula M/H, (ratio of percent microcytic and hypochromic red blood cells) demonstrated moderate performance with AUC of 0.796 and 0.740, respectively. CONCLUSION: Extended red cell analysis delivered by the advanced optical technology on the Alinity hq hematology analyzer has efficient diagnostic utility in the initial discrimination of the two most common microcytic anemias: IDA and ß-thalassemia trait.

Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta.

Microplastics are particles smaller than five millimeters deriving from the degradation of plastic objects present in the environment. Microplastics can move from the environment to living organisms, including mammals. In this study, six human placentas, collected from consenting women with physiological pregnancies, were analyzed by Raman Microspectroscopy to evaluate the presence of microplastics. In total, 12 microplastic fragments (ranging from 5 to 10 µm in size), with spheric or irregular shape were found in 4 placentas (5 in the fetal side, 4 in the maternal side and 3 in the chorioamniotic membranes); all microplastics particles were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. All of them were pigmented; three were identified as stained polypropylene a thermoplastic polymer, while for the other nine it was possible to identify only the pigments, which were all used for man-made coatings, paints, adhesives, plasters, finger paints, polymers and cosmetics and personal care products.

Comprehensive characterization of phytochemicals and biological activities of the Italian ancient apple 'Mela Rosa dei Monti Sibillini'.

This study was carried out to characterize extracts from nine samples of the apple 'Mela Rosa dei Monti Sibillini' (MR) and to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The extracts were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) for 20 phytochemicals. The extracts from the lyophilized material (ELM) were richer in polyphenolic compounds than the dried ones (EDM). The MR extracts contained noteworthy amounts of the investigated analytes compared to one sample of the commercial varieties Annurca, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith used as reference. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the part of the fruit seems to have a significant influence on the chemical composition of the final extract; thus, the peel extracts exhibited higher levels of phenolic compounds, especially epicatechin, procyanidin B2 and phloridzin, and triterpenes than the pulp ones. In general, the lyophilized material showed higher antioxidant activity than the dried material. The strong antioxidant capacity of the MR has also been revealed by the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteau assays. The ELM of MR significantly reduced reactive oxygen species in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse brain microglia cells (BV-2 cells). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that the EDM and ELM of MR were effective in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes in BV-2 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). These results contribute to the exploitation of this ancient variety as a source of nutraceuticals.

Acaricidal activity, mode of action, and persistent efficacy of selected essential oils on the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae).

In this work, the essential oils (EOs) from Litchi chinensis, Clausena anisata, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella anisum, Lippia alba, Crithmum maritimum and Syzygium aromaticum were tested for their contact toxicity against the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, a deleterious ectoparasite of aviary systems. In addition, in order to give insights on their mode of action and effectiveness, the vapor phase and residual toxicity tests were also performed. Results showed that amongst all the tested EOs, that of S. aromaticum demonstrated the highest contact toxicity, with a LC50 value of 8.9 µg/mL, followed by C. maritimum and L. chinensis EOs, with LC50 values of 23.7 and 24.7 µg/mL, respectively. L. chinensis and C. anisata EOs showed higher vapor toxicity than the other EOs. L. chinensis and S. aromaticum EOs showed promising toxic effects up to 4 days post-application. Taken together, these results highlighted L. chinensis and S. aromaticum as two promising sources of biopesticides, able to cause severe contact, vapor and residual toxicity in the poultry red mites. Given the wide plant cultivation and uses in foodstuffs, cosmetics, flavour and fragrances, these EOs may be considered cheap and ready-to-use products as valid, eco-friendly alternatives to pesticides currently used in the aviary systems.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Nigella sativa Oil in Human Pre-Adipocytes.

The oil obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa), also known as black cumin, is frequently used in the Mediterranean area for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil extracted from seeds of a N. sativa cultivar produced in the Marche region of Italy, and to determine if the thymoquinone content, antioxidant properties, and biological activity would decay during storage. Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of N. sativa oil were tested in an in vitro model of low-grade inflammation in Simpson⁻Golabi⁻Behmel syndrome human pre-adipocytes. The fresh extracted oil (FEO) contained 33% more thymoquinone than stored extracted oil (SEO), demonstrating that storage affects its overall quality. In addition, the thymoquinone content in the N. sativa oil from the Marche region cultivar was higher compared with other N. sativa oils produced in the Middle East and in other Mediterranean regions. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., Interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) were differently modulated by fresh and stored extracts from N. sativa oils: FEO, containing more thymoquinone reduced IL-6 levels significantly, while SEO inhibited IL-1beta and had a higher antioxidant activity. Total antioxidant activity, reported as µM of Trolox, was 11.273 ± 0.935 and 6.103 ± 0.446 for SEO and FEO (p = 1.255 × 10-7), respectively, while mean values of 9.895 ± 0.817 (SEO) and 4.727 ± 0.324 (FEO) were obtained with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay (p = 2.891 × 10-14). In conclusion, the oil capacity to counteract proinflammatory cytokine production does not strictly depend on the thymoquinone content, but also on other antioxidant components of the oil.

Characterization of nutrients, polyphenols and volatile components of the ancient apple cultivar 'Mela Rosa Dei Monti Sibillini' from Marche region, central Italy.

In the present work, we reported for the first time a comprehensive study on the phytonutrients, that is, natural compounds able to provide benefits to health, found in an ancient apple variety cultivated in orchards of the Sibillini Mountains, central Italy, known as Mela Rosa dei Monti Sibillini. This fruit has recently been promoted by authorities and local institutions as a typical food of the Marche Region. For the purpose, analysis of its nutrients, phenolics, triterpenes and volatile components as well as a morpho-anatomical study was carried out in order to give an added value for its consumption and promotion at regional and national level. ICP-MS, HPLC-MSn and GC-MS analyses were useful techniques for giving a typical fingerprint to this apple, consisting in a high content of K and B, quercetin derivatives as the main phenolic compounds and carboxylic esters, aldehydes, alcohols and (E,E)-α-farnesene as the main key odorants.

Volatile components of horsetail (Hippuris vulgaris L.) growing in central Italy.

Hippuris vulgaris, also known as horsetail or marestail, is a freshwater macrophyte occurring in lakes, rivers, ponds and marshes. According to 'The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species', H. vulgaris is at a high risk of extinction in Italy in the medium-term future. In the present study, we analysed for the first time the volatile composition of H. vulgaris growing in central Italy. For the purpose, the essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-MS. The chemical composition was dominated by aliphatic compounds such as fatty acids (26.0%), ketones (18.7%) and alkanes (11.4%), whereas terpenoids were poorer and mostly represented by diterpenes (7.4%). n-Hexadecanoic acid (25.5%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (17.5%) and trans-phytol (7.4%) were the major volatile constituents. These compounds are here proposed as chemotaxonomic markers of the species.

An overlooked horticultural crop, Smyrnium olusatrum, as a potential source of compounds effective against African trypanosomiasis.

Among natural products, sesquiterpenes have shown promising inhibitory effects against bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei, the protozoan parasite causing human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Smyrnium olusatrum (Apiaceae), also known as Alexanders or wild celery, is a neglected horticultural crop characterized by oxygenated sesquiterpenes containing a furan ring. In the present work we explored the potential of its essential oils obtained from different organs and the main oxygenated sesquiterpenes, namely isofuranodiene, germacrone and ß-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene, as inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei. All essential oils effectively inhibited the growth of parasite showing IC50 values of 1.9-4.0µg/ml. Among the main essential oil constituents, isofuranodiene exhibited a significant and selective inhibitory activity against T. brucei (IC50 of 0.6µg/ml, SI=30), with ß-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene giving a moderate potentiating effect. These results shed light on the possible application of isofuranodiene as an antiprotozoal agent to be included in combination treatments aimed not only at curing patients but also at preventing the diffusion of HAT.

Stabilization of the cyclodecadiene derivative isofuranodiene by silver (I) coordination. Mechanistic and biological aspects.

The industrial extraction and further applications of isofuranodiene are limited because at room temperature it spontaneously converts to curzerene, a structurally less active isomer. This work definitively identified the structure of isofuranodiene in the solid state, showing the two methyl groups in syn position. In addition, two bioactive metal cations, namely, silver(I) and copper(II) ions, were used in the attempt to obtain the chemical stability of isofuranodiene: in the case of silver(I), a labile adduct was formed, while in the case of copper(II), a more stable 1:1 adduct was achieved. In the former, the presence of silver did not significantly affect the biological activities of isofuranodiene, while in the latter, the copper(II) coordination suppressed them. The biological activities of the isofuranodiene adducts were then evaluated as antiproliferative agents against human tumor cell lines (HCT116, MDA-MB 231, and T98G). In addition, for the first time, isofuranodiene was tested as an inhibitor of DHFR (DiHydroFolateReductase) from Escherichia coli. Anticancer activity was observed in the isofuranodiene with the AgCF3SO3 adduct, in the tested cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 4.89µM to 13.06µM, while inhibition assays highlighted a Ki of 6.22µM for isofuranodiene and of 0.17µM for the related silver adduct. Docking studies indicated a binding mode score of -6.83Kcal/mol for isofuranodiene, and an energy value of -11.82Kcal/mol for methotrexate (a classic DHFR inhibitor).

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil from the Carpathian Thymus alternans Klokov.

The genus Thymus includes several species that are used as flavouring, food preservative as well as in cosmetics. Their secondary metabolites have been extensively studied for pharmacological effects. Nonetheless, some species are neglected and deserve to be explored for chemical composition and biological activities. This is the case with Thymus alternans, a Carpathian bush used as a food additive and for the preparation of a traditional herbal medicine. In this work, we have analysed the chemical composition of T. alternans essential oil by GC and GC-MS and evaluated its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity by disc diffusion, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, respectively. Results showed that T. alternans belongs to the nerolidol chemotype, being rich of this sesquiterpene alcohol (15.8%) which might contribute to the antimicrobial (particularly effective on C. albicans growth) and antioxidant (weak inhibition on ABTS radical and reducing power) activities observed.

Secondary Metabolites, Glandular Trichomes and Biological Activity of Sideritis montana L. subsp. montana from Central Italy.

Sideritis montana subsp. montana is a small annual herb occurring in countries bordering the Mediterranean and Balkan regions. The secondary metabolism of this plant has not been fully explored so far. The aim of the present study was to understand the complex mixture of secondary metabolites and the type of secretory structures. The polar constituents were isolated by column chromatography from the ethanolic extract, and their structure was elucidated by NMR and MS. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC/MS. The plant indumentum was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. To complete the work, the essential oil antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity on tumor cells were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and MTT methods. Four different classes of secondary metabolites were isolated, namely flavonoids, caffeoylquinic derivatives, glycosidic hydroquinones and iridoids. The essential oil was mainly characterized by sesquiterpenene hydrocarbons. Peltate and long-capitate hairs were the main sites where terpenes and polar constituents are produced. The secondary metabolites found in S. montana subsp. montana are of chemotaxonomic interest, some of them being typical of the genus Sideritis. The trichomes types observed partially differ from those described in other members of the genus Sideritis. The essential oil showed noteworthy inhibition on tumor cells.

Bioactive Secondary Metabolites from Schizogyne sericea (Asteraceae) Endemic to Canary Islands.

Schizogyne sericea (Asteraceae) is a halophytic shrub endemic to the Canary Islands and traditionally employed as analgesic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and vulnerary. A comprehensive phytochemical investigation was conducted on the flowering aerial parts by analyzing both essential oil constituents and polar compounds. The essential oil was dominated by p-cymene, with the noteworthy occurrence of ß-pinene and thymol esters. From the EtOH extract, eight compounds were isolated and structurally elucidated. Essential oil, polar fractions, and isolates (2), (4), and (5) were separately in vitro assayed for antiproliferative activity on human tumor cell lines (A375, MDA-MB 231, and HCT116) by MTT assay, for antioxidant potential by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, and for antimicrobial activity by the agar disk diffusion method. Results revealed that essential oil and compounds 1 and 2 exert a strong inhibition on tumor cells, and in some cases, higher than that of cisplatin. Fractions containing thymol derivatives (1 and 2) and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives 4 and 5 displayed antioxidant activity comparable to that of Trolox, making S. sericea extract an interesting natural product with potential applications as preservative or in the treatment of diseases in which oxidative stress plays an important role.

Polar Constituents and Biological Activity of the Berry-Like Fruits from Hypericum androsaemum L.

Hypericum androsaemum, also known as Tutsan, is a small evergreen shrub common in the Mediterranean basin where it is traditionally used as diuretic and hepatoprotective herbal drug. This plant possesses the peculiarity to produce fleshy and berry-like fruits that ripen from red to shiny black. In the present work, the chemical constituents of methanolic extracts and infusions of red and black fruits were analyzed by HPLC, and correlated with their antioxidant properties which were evaluated by the DPPH, ß-Carotene/linoleic acid, and hypochlorous acid tests. In addition, the red pigment of the fruit was isolated by column chromatography and structurally elucidated by NMR. Results showed that H. androsaemum fruits contain high amounts of shikimic and chlorogenic acids, while their color was given by a tetraoxygenated-type xanthone, reported for the first time in Hypericum species. The red berries infusion gave the highest content of total phenolic compounds, DPPH, and hypochlorous acid scavenging activity, and ß-carotene bleaching. Cytotoxicity of the berries extracts on three human tumor cell lines (malignant melanoma, breast adenocarcinoma, and colon carcinoma) was evaluated by MTT assay, and relevant inhibition on colon carcinoma cells (IC50 value of 8.4 µg/mL) was found. Finally, the effects of red berries extract on the immune system were evaluated by peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation assay that revealed a strong stimulation on lymphocytes at low doses (0.4-6 µg/mL).

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Kaliphora madagascariensis Hook. f.

Kaliphora madagascariensis is an evergreen shrub or small tree endemic to Madagascar where it is traditionally used for the treatment of persistent cephalalgia by a strong inhalation of its odour. In this work, we analysed for the first time the essential oil obtained from leaves by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The chemical composition was dominated by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (68.1%), with caryophyllene oxide (14.7%) and ß-eudesmol (10.7%) as the most abundant constituents. These compounds are endowed with documented healthy effects such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuritogenic, antiepileptic and hypotensive, and its abundance might explain the traditional use of the plant in Madagascar.

Chemical analysis of essential oils from different parts of Ferula communis L. growing in central Italy.

Ferula communis is a showy herbaceous plant typical of the Mediterranean area where it is used as a traditional medicine. The plant is a source of bioactive compounds such as daucane sesquiterpenes and prenylated coumarins. In Italy, most of phytochemical studies focused on Sardinian populations where poisonous and nonpoisonous chemotypes were found, while investigations on peninsular populations are scarce. In this work, we report the chemical characterisation of the essential oils obtained from different parts of F. communis growing in central Italy. The chemical profiles of the plant parts, as detected by GC-FID and GC-MS, were different from each other and from those reported in insular populations. Notably, α-pinene (10.5%), γ-terpinene (7.6%) and hedycariol (8.4%) were the major volatile constituents in flowers; α-pinene (55.9%), ß-pinene (16.8%) and myrcene (5.9%) in fruits; ß-eudesmol (12.1%), α-eudesmol (12.1%) and hedycariol (10.3%) in leaves; (E)-ß-farnesene (9.5%), ß-cubebene (8.2%) and (E)-caryophyllene (7.2%) in roots. The volatile profiles detected did not allow to classify the investigated central Italy population into the poisonous and nonpoisonous chemotypes previously described in Sardinia.

Isofuranodiene: A neuritogenic compound isolated from wild celery (Smyrnium olusatrum L., Apiaceae).

In the search for neuroactive compounds that mimic the nerve growth factor (NGF) activity for the protection against neurodegenerative diseases, the potential medicinal values of foods and plants attracts intense interest. Isofuranodiene is the major constituent of the essential oil of wild celery (Smyrnium olusatrum L., Apiaceae). The cytotoxic effects of isofuranodiene towards rat neuronal PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells were determined by MTT assay, while the cell differentiation was evaluated with xCELLigence real time cell analysis system (RTCA DP), and the neuritogenic activity was assessed by neurite outgrowth image analysis. Isofuranodiene at concentrations of 25 and 12.5 µM alone, or in combination with 50 nM NGF, showed a marked stimulation of neuritogenesis, but it was more effective at 12.5 µM with or without NGF. The present study reports the first evidence of the neuritogenic effects of isofuranodiene, which appears to be a promising neurotrophic and neuroprotective agent deserving further investigation.

Essential oil composition and biological activity from Artemisia caerulescens subsp. densiflora (Viv.) Gamisans ex Kerguélen & Lambinon (Asteraceae), an endemic species in the habitat of La Maddalena Archipelago.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the composition of the essential oil obtained from a population of Artemisia caerulescens subsp. densiflora growing in Razzoli, an island in the La Maddalena Archipelago (Sardinia, Italy). A. caerulescens sups. densiflora Viv. (Asteraceae), a wild herb, seldom studied in the Mediterranean, represents one of the many rare endemic species growing in North Sardinia. The essential oil composition was analysed by means of GC/MS analysis, which showed davana ethers as the major volatile components, accounting together for 17.5%, followed by (E)-nerolidol (4.5%), ß-oplopenone (3.3%), cis-sabinene hydrate (5.2%) and terpinen-4-ol (4.7%). The oil was tested for antioxidant activity by means of DPPH test, inhibition of lipid oxidation test and hypochlorous acid test, which showed a quite interesting scavenger capacity. For the first time, we reported the cytotoxic activity of the essential oil of A. caerulescens subsp. densiflora, against three human tumour cell lines (A375, MDA-MB231 and HCT116), with IC50 values in the range 5.20-7.61 µg/mL, which deserved further studies to support its use as chemopreventive agent. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil, displayed on a panel of human pathogens, was very low.