Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Natural Populations of Artemisia scoparia Collected at Different Altitudes: Antibacterial, Mosquito Repellent, and Larvicidal Effects.

The current study aimed to evaluate the presence of chemical variations in essential oils (EOs) extracted from Artemisia scoparia growing at different altitudes and to reveal their antibacterial, mosquito larvicidal, and repellent activity. The gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of A. scoparia EOs revealed that the major compounds were capillene (9.6-31.8%), methyleugenol (0.2-26.6%), ß-myrcene (1.9-21.4%), γ-terpinene (1.5-19.4%), trans-ß-caryophyllene (0.8-12.4%), and eugenol (0.1-9.1%). The EO of A. scoparia collected from the city of Attock at low elevation was the most active against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria (minimum inhibitory concentration of 156-1250 µg/mL) and showed the best mosquito larvicidal activity (LC50, 55.3 mg/L). The EOs of A. scoparia collected from the high-altitude areas of Abbottabad and Swat were the most repellent for females of Ae. aegypti and exhibited repellency for 120 min and 165 min, respectively. The results of the study reveal that different climatic conditions and altitudes have significant effects on the chemical compositions and the biological activity of essential oils extracted from the same species.

Research on the antipruritic active ingredients of Mikania micrantha.

Mikania micrantha is a perennial liana of the genus Mikania of the Asteraceae family. It is a commonly used medicine in South America for treating fever, malaria, dysentery, snake bites, etc. Because of its strong adaptability and ability to inhibit the growth of its associated plants, Mikania micrantha is considered an invasive species in China and is known as a plant killer. Preliminary studies have shown that Mikania micrantha has an antipruritic effect, but the antipruritic active substance is not yet clear. In this study, a 4-aminopyridine-induced itching model in mice was used to determine the antipruritic effects of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol extraction site, and Mikania micrantha volatile oil. GC-MS was used to analyze the components of the antipruritic fractions, combined with mice itch-causing models to study the antipruritic effects of ß-caryophyllene and humulene. The safety of ß-caryophyllene was preliminarily evaluated through the acute toxicity test of mice skin. The ethyl acetate and volatile oil of Mikania micrantha have apparent antipruritic effects. Humulene and ß-caryophyllene have a quantitative-effective relationship to inhibit itching in mice. The acute toxicity test of mouse skin showed that ß-caryophyllene has no acute toxicity. This study indicated that the main antipruritic active ingredients of Mikania micrantha are ß-caryophyllene and humulene.

Intranasal administration of the essential oil from Perillae Folium ameliorates social defeat stress-induced behavioral impairments in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Perillae Folium, the leaves and twigs of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, has been included in many traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulas to treat depression. However, the precise antidepressant mechanism of the essential oil from Perillae Folium (PFEO) has not been fully investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the effects and potential mechanisms of PFEO on depression using animal models and network pharmacology analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PFEO was intranasally administered to a mouse model of social defeat stress (SDS). The antidepressant effects of PFEO on SDS-induced mice were evaluated using behavioral tests. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot were performed to measure the levels of depression-related biomarkers in the hippocampus and serum of the mice. The chemical compounds of PFEO were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were conducted to investigate the potential bioactive components of PFEO and the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects. To validate the mechanisms of the bioactive compounds, in vitro models using PC12 and BV2 cells were established and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was evaluated. RESULTS: The intranasal administration of PFEO suppressed SDS-induced depression in mice by increasing the time spent in the social zone and the social interactions in the social interaction test and by decreasing the immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests. Moreover, the PFEO treatment reduced the SDS-induced anxiety-like behavior, as inferred from the increased activity in the central zone observed in the open field test and in the open arms observed in the elevated plus maze test. PFEO administration recovered the SDS-induced decrease in the levels of 5-HT, NE, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and p-ERK in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the increased serum corticosterone level was also attenuated by the PFEO treatment. A total of 21 volatile compounds were detected in PFEO using GC-MS, among which elemicin (15.52%), apiol (15.16%), and perillaldehyde (12.79%) were the most abundant ones. The PFEO compounds targeted 32 depression-associated genes, which were mainly related to neural cells and neurotransmission pathways. Molecular docking indicated good binding affinities between the bioactive components of PFEO (apiol, ß-caryophyllene, elemicin, and myristicin) and the key targets, including ACHE, IL1B, IL6, MAOB, SLC6A2, SLC6A3, SLC6A4, and tumor necrosis factor. Among the four compounds, ß-caryophyllene, elemicin, and myristicin were more effective in reducing neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Elemicin showed the highest BBB permeability rate. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the antidepressant activities of PFEO in an SDS-induced mouse model and suggests its potential mechanisms of action: regulation of the corticosterone levels, hippocampal neurotransmitters, and ERK signaling. Apiol, ß-caryophyllene, elemicin, and myristicin may be the main contributors to the observed effects induced by PFEO. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and the main PFEO bioactive components.

Systematic characterization of the influence of petroleum spill on terpene metabolism in Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall from coastal wetland: Implication by compound-specific stable isotope.

With the increasing industrialization and urbanization, the ecological environment is suffering from severe deterioration in Liaohe coastal wetland, and petroleum spill is one of the pollution sources. Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall (S. salsa), one of the predominant plants in Liaohe coastal wetland, is facing the increasing degradation. Terpenes are a class of inherent compounds in plants, and play key role in maintain the growth of plants. However, the environmental stress on the terpene metabolism remained unclear in the plants. In the present study, the influence of petroleum spill on terpene metabolism in S. salsa was systematically investigated by analysis of concentrations, compositions and stable carbon isotope. Under the stress of petroleum spill, terpene concentrations showed the decreasing trend, indicating the inhibition effect of petroleum spill on terpene synthesis in S. salsa. The proportions of Sabinene and A-humulene showed the obviously increased with the influence of petroleum spill, implying that these congeners were more sensitive to petroleum spills. The significant changes in stable carbon isotope compositions were observed for Borneol, Dl-menthol, A-humulene and (-) -@-bisabolol, with the enrichment in heavier isotopes in residual fractions. This result indicated that the heavier 13C was preferentially fixed on terpene by S. salsa under the petroleum stress. The similar change trends along the incubation time was observed for A-humulene and (-) - trans caryophyllene, which might imply that A-humulene was one of the products of (-) - trans caryophyllene in S. salsa. Overall, the findings of present study verified the influence of petroleum spill on terpene metabolism in S. salsa, and were meaningful for protecting the plants in the petroleum-pollution wetlands.

In Vitro and In Silico Antioxidant Activity and Molecular Characterization of Bauhinia ungulata L. Essential Oil.

Bauhinia ungulata is an antioxidant medicinal plant that has been manipuled in Brazil to lower glycemic index as well is for alternative treatment for diabetes. Therefore, the present hearch has aimed to investigates the antioxidant effects of the essential oil of Bauhinia ungulata L. (EOBU) collected in Amazon region better specified in Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, located in the Amazon region. Gas chromatography had been used to characterize the components, and antioxidant assays such as DPPH, TAC, reducing power, Fe2+ chelation, and total phenols had also been performed. The major constituents had molecularly anchored with the human catalase (CAT) enzyme, and maltol has showed as a positive control. Among the 25 revealed components, the main ones have been α-bisabolol (27.2 %), ß-Caryophyllene (12.5 %) and Epi-γ-eudesmol (13.6 %). The EOBU has comproved a TAC value of 618.79 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent, free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) around 53.7 % and 65.27 %, Fe2+ chelation capacity of 161±6 and 126.7±39.6, for 0.1 mg.mL-1 and 0.5 mg.mL-1 , respectively. The power around the EOBU has appeared percentages equals to 28.66 %, 44.6 %, and 77.03 % in the concentrations tested. As well as, 96.5 % of total phenols. The compounds α-bisabolol (-5.7±0.4 Kcal.mol-1 ) and ß-caryophyllene (-6.1±0.5 Kcal.mol-1 ) have showed good interaction with CAT compared to Maltol (-4.4±0.4 Kcal.mol-1 ). The present work has demonstrated that EOBU functions as a potent antioxidant, capable of scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress damage.

Multiomics Analysis Reveals the Genetic Basis of Volatile Terpenoid Formation in Oolong Tea.

Oolong tea has gained great popularity in China due to its pleasant floral and fruity aromas. Although numerous studies have investigated the aroma differences across various tea cultivars, the genetic mechanism is unclear. This study performed multiomics analysis of three varieties suitable for oolong tea and three others with different processing suitability. Our analysis revealed that oolong tea varieties contained higher levels of cadinane sesquiterpenoids. PanTFBS was developed to identify variants of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). We found that the CsDCS gene had two TFBS variants in the promoter sequence and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the coding sequence. Integrating data on genetic variations, gene expression, and protein-binding sites indicated that CsDCS might be a pivotal gene involved in the biosynthesis of cadinane sesquiterpenoids. These findings advance our understanding of the genetic factors involved in the aroma formation of oolong tea and offer insights into the enhancement of tea aroma.

Pterodon emarginatus Seed Preparations: Antiradical Activity, Chemical Characterization, and In Silico ADMET Parameters of ß-caryophyllene and Farnesol.

The study of medicinal plants and their active compounds is relevant to maintaining knowledge of traditional medicine and to the development of new drugs of natural origin with lower environmental impact. From the seeds of the Brazilian plant Pterodon emarginatus, six different preparations were obtained: essential oil (EO), ethanol extract (EthE) prepared using the traditional method, and four extracts using solvents at different polarities, such as n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol (HexE, ChlE, EtAE, and MetE). Chemical characterization was carried out with gas chromatography, allowing the identification of several terpenoids as characteristic components. The two sesquiterpenes ß-caryophyllene and farnesol were identified in all preparations of Pterodon emarginatus, and their amounts were also evaluated. Furthermore, the total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extracts were assessed. Successively, the antiradical activity with DPPH and ORAC assays and the influence on cell proliferation by the MTT test on the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell line of the preparations and the two compounds were evaluated. Lastly, an in silico study of adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) showed that ß-caryophyllene and farnesol could be suitable candidates for development as drugs. The set of data obtained highlights the potential medicinal use of Pterodon emarginatus seeds and supports further studies of both plant preparations and isolated compounds, ß-caryophyllene and farnesol, for their potential use in disease with free radical involvement as age-related chronic disorders.

Sesquiterpene Backbones Generated by Sesquiterpene Cyclases: Formation of iso-Caryolan-1-ol and an Isoclovane.

New sesquiterpene backbones are accessible after incubation of caryolan-synthase (GcoA) and presilphiperfolan-8-ß-ol synthase (BcBOT2) with a non-natural farnesyldiphosphate in which the central olefinic double bond is isomerized toward the methyl group. Two newly formed sesquiterpenoids are reported, a constitutional isomer of caryolan-1-ol (3), which we name iso-caryolan-1-ol (17), and the first terpenoid based on the isoclovane ring skeleton generated enzymatically thus far.

Terpenoids from the endophytic fungus Microdiplodia sp. and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Motivated by the potential anti-inflammatory effect of the crude extract of endophytic fungus Microdiplodia sp. CJ01 derived from Camellia sinensis, chemical investigation of the extract of Microdiplodia sp. CJ01 led to the isolation and identification of sixteen terpenoids, including five undescribed eremophilane sesquiterpenoids named microdiplodins A-E (1-5), one undescribed meroterpenoid 13-carboxymacrophorin A (13), seven known eremophilane sesquiterpenoids (6-12), and three known meroterpenoids (14-16). The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data. Their absolute configurations were determined by calculational and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Anti-inflammatory activity assays revealed that compounds 3, 4, 14-16 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Eremophilane and cadinane sesquiterpenoids from the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla and their anti-inflammatory activities.

The fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla have been used for centuries in China as both edible resources and traditional Chinese medicine. In order to identify structurally interesting and bioactive constituents from the fruits of A. oxyphylla, bioassay-guided fractionation and purification of the crude extracts were performed, which led to the isolation of 38 sesquiterpenoids, including six previously undescribed eremophilane sesquiterpenoids (1-6), six new cadinane sesquiterpenoids (23-24, 26-29), and 26 known analogues (7-22, 25 and 31-38). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction, quantum chemistry calculations (13C-NMR and ECD), and Mo2(OAc)4 reaction. Several of the isolated compounds (8, 13, 17, 18, 30, 31 and 35) showed moderate to strong inhibition of the secretion of cytokines (NO, TNF-α and IL-6) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Furthermore, western blot, immunofluorescence, and real-time PCR assays indicated that 18 could down-regulate the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS and the protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS. Meanwhile, 18 was able to partially inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38. Thus, the discovery of structurally diverse anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenoids from the fruits of A. oxyphylla in this study could benefit the further development and utilization of this plant.

Four new eudesmane-type and one new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes from the whole plant of Carpesium abrotanoides L.

The extract of the whole plant of Carpesium abrotanoides L. yielded five new sesquiterpenes including four eudesmanes (1-4) and one eremophilane (5). The new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analysis especially 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HRESIMS data. Structurally, both compounds 1 and 2 were sesquiterpene epoxides and 2 owned an epoxy group at C-4/C-15 position to form a spiro skeleton. Compounds 4 and 5 were two sesquiterpenes without lactones and 5 possessed a carboxy group in the molecule. Additionally, all the isolated compounds were preliminarily evaluated for the inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. As a result, compound 2 showed moderate activity with an IC50 value of 18.79 µM, while other compounds were devoid of noticeable activity (IC50 > 50 µM).

Antifungal and antifeedant terpenoids from Paraphaeosphaeria sp. cultured by extract of host Ginkgo biloba.

Five undescribed terpenoids including a polyketide-terpenoid hybrid paraphaone, and four eremophilane sesquiterpenoids, paraphaterpenes A-D, as well as two known compounds were isolated from the endophytic fungus Paraphaeosphaeria sp. cultured by extract of host Ginkgo biloba L. The structures were established by spectroscopic analyses, and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The antifungal activity of Paraphaeosphaeria sp. cultured by extract of G. biloba against the plant pathogen Alternaria alternata was significant and higher than that of PDB medium. Tested compounds indicated antifeedant activities against silkworms with feeding deterrence index at 10-70%. Paraphaone, paraphaterpenes A, C, D and alternariol methyl ether showed significant antifungal activities against the phytopathogens A. alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, and entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana with MICs ≤4 µg/mL. And the preliminary structure-activity relationship of eremophilane sesquiterpenoids was exhibited. The culture of Paraphaeosphaeria sp. by host G. biloba medium afforded agricultural antibiotics.

Antibacterial eremophilane sesquiterpenoids from Xylaria feejeensis, an endophytic fungi of the medicinal plant Geophila repens.

Geophila repens (L.) I.M. Johnst (Rubiaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant used in Sri Lanka for the treatment of bacterial infections. Due to its rich endophytic fungi content, it was postulated that endophytically-produced specialized metabolites may be responsible for its purported antibacterial effects. To test this hypothesis, eight pure endophytic fungal cultures were isolated from G. repens then extracted and screened for antibacterial activity in a disc diffusion assay against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Large scale culturing, extraction, and purification of the most active fungal extract, obtained from Xylaria feejeensis, led to the isolation of 6',7'-didehydrointegric acid (1), 13-carboxyintegric acid (2), and four known compounds including integric acid (3). Compound 3 was isolated as the key antibacterial component (MIC = 16 µg/mL against Bacillus subtilis, 64 µg/mL against Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus). Compound 3 and its analogues were devoid of hemolytic activity up to the highest tested concentration of 45 µg/mL. This study demonstrates that specialized metabolites produced by endophytic fungi may contribute to the biological activity of some medicinal plants. Endophytic fungi should be evaluated as a potential source of antibiotics, especially from unexplored medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Seven drimane-type sesquiterpenoids from an earwig-associated Aspergillus sp.

Drimane-type sesquiterpenoids are widely distributed in fungi. From the ethyl acetate extract of the earwig-derived Aspergillus sp. NF2396, seven new drimane-type sesquiterpenoids, named drimanenoids A-G (1-7), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by diverse spectroscopic analysis including high-resolution ESI-MS, one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Drimanenoids A-F (1-6) are new members of drimane-type sesquiterpenoid esterified with unsaturated fatty acid side chain at C-6. Drimanenoids C (3), D (4) and F (6) showed antibacterial activity against five types of bacteria with different inhibition diameters. Drimanenoid D (4) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human myelogenous leukemia cell line K562 with an IC50 value of 12.88 ± 0.11 µmol·L-1.

Eremophilane-type and xanthanolide-type sesquiterpenes from the aerial parts of Xanthium sibiricum and their anti-inflammatory activities.

The traditional Chinese medicine Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widder is used to treat wind-cold headache, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, urticaria, and arthritis. Our previous studies found that sesquiterpene lactones, the main bioactive constituents of X. sibiricum, relieved airway inflammation in an asthma mouse model. To obtain active sesquiterpenes, five undescribed ones, including a pair of eremophilanes and three xanthanolides, together with eight known xanthanolides were isolated from X. sibiricum. Their structures were identified by IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallographic diffraction analysis and the comparison between their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production, and Tnf-α, Il-1ß, and Il-6 mRNA expression induced by lipopolysaccharide in the macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Further investigation showed that xanthsibiriolide and 11ß-hydroxyl-13-chloro-8-epi-xanthatin exerted their anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Analysis of the structure-activity relationships indicated that the α,ß-unsaturated lactone ring and the 1,5-epoxide group might be the bioactive groups of xanthanolides, and these results provide a basis for further exploration of sesquiterpene-type lead compounds with anti-inflammatory activity.

Cannabidiol and Beta-Caryophyllene in Combination: A Therapeutic Functional Interaction.

Cannabis contains over 500 distinct compounds, which include cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. However, very few of these compounds have been studied for their beneficial effects. There is an emerging concept that the constituents of the cannabis plant may work in concert to achieve better therapeutic benefits. This study is aimed at determining if the combination of a minor cannabinoid (cannabidiol, CBD) and a terpene (beta-caryophyllene, BCP) works in concert and if this has any therapeutic value. We used an inflammatory pain model (formalin) in mice to test for any functionality of CBD and BCP in combination. First, we determined the analgesic effect of CBD and BCP individually by establishing dose-response studies. Second, we tested the analgesic effect of fixed-ratio combinations and monitored any adverse effects. Finally, we determined the effect of this combination on inflammation. The combination of CBD and BCP produces a synergistic analgesic effect. This effect was without the cannabinoid receptor-1 side effects. The analgesic effect of CBD and BCP in combination involves an inflammatory mechanism. The combination of these two constituents of the cannabis plant, CBD and BCP, works in concert to produce a therapeutic effect with safety profiles through an inflammatory mechanism.

Analysis of In Vivo Existence Forms of Nardosinone in Mice by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS Technique.

Nardosinone, a sesquiterpene peroxide, is one of the main active constituents of the ethnomedicine Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma, and it has many bioactivities, such as antiarrhythmia and cardioprotection. To elucidate its in vivo existence forms, its metabolism is first studied using mice. All urine and feces are collected during the six days of oral dosing of nardosinone, and blood is collected at one hour after the last dose. Besides, to validate some metabolites, a fast experiment is performed, in which nardosinone was orally administered and the subsequent one-hour urine is collected and immediately analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. In total, 76 new metabolites are identified in this study, including 39, 51, and 12 metabolites in urine, plasma, and feces, respectively. Nardosinone can be converted into nardosinone acid or its isomers. The metabolic reactions of nardosinone included hydroxylation, hydrogenation, dehydration, glucuronidation, sulfation, demethylation, and carboxylation. There are 56 and 20 metabolites with the structural skeleton of nardosinone and nardosinone acid, respectively. In total, 77 in vivo existence forms of nardosinone are found in mice. Nardosinone is mainly excreted in urine and is not detected in the feces. These findings will lay the foundation for further research of the in vivo effective forms of nardosinone and Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma.

ß-Caryophyllene: A Therapeutic Alternative for Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction Caused by Obesity.

Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fat that exacerbates the metabolic and inflammatory processes. Studies associate these processes with conditions and dysregulation in the intestinal tract, increased concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the blood, differences in the abundance of intestinal microbiota, and the production of secondary metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. ß-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a natural sesquiterpene with anti-inflammatory properties and with the potential purpose of fighting metabolic diseases. A diet-induced obesity model was performed in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice administered with BCP [50 mg/kg]. A reduction in the expression of Claudin-1 was observed in the group with a high-fat diet (HFD), which was caused by the administration of BCP; besides BCP, the phylaAkkermansia and Bacteroidetes decreased between the groups with a standard diet (STD) vs. HFD. Nevertheless, the use of BCP in the STD increased the expression of these phyla with respect to fatty acids; a similar effect was observed, in the HFD group that had a decreasing concentration that was restored with the use of BCP. The levels of endotoxemia and serum leptin increased in the HFD group, while in the HFD + BCP group, similar values were found to those of the STD group, attributing the ability to reduce these in conditions of obesity.

Drimane-type sesquiterpenoids from fungi.

Sesquiterpenoids are comprised of three C5 units and derived from farnesyl diphosphate. In these C15 family of terpenoids, drimane-type sesquiterpenoids are unique as their chemical structure of decahydronaphthalene along with the methyl group decorations resemble the A/B rings of labdane derived diterpenoids and the eastern part of many meroterpenoids. In the past decades, based on their chemical structural features and diverse bioactivities, great efforts have been made to perform chemical and biological research on this family of natural products, leading to the characterization of a large of new compounds and a few biosynthetic pathways. In this review, we collected 164 new drimane-type sesquiterpenoids from fungi between January 2004 and October 2021 and classified them into three major subfamilies, so as to highlight their diverse chemical structures, biological activities, and biosynthetic pathways,.

Chemical Composition, Antiaging Activities and Molecular Docking Studies of Essential Oils from Acca sellowiana (Feijoa).

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of essential oils isolated from Acca sellowiana (feijoa) leaves and stems and elaborate on their relevance as natural anti-aging, coupled with molecular-docking studies. The isolated oils were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and investigated for inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase, ß-secretase, collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase. Molecular-modelling study was performed using MOE-Dock program to evaluate binding interactions of major components with the above-mentioned targets. The leaf oil revealed the predominance of caryophyllene oxide (24.3 %), linalool (7.9 %), and spathulenol (6.6 %), while the stem oil was presented by caryophyllene oxide (38.1 %), α-zingiberene (10.1 %) and humulene oxide II (6.0 %). The stem oil expressed superior inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (IC50 =0.15±0.01 µg/mL), ß-secretase (IC50 =3.99±0.23 µg/mL), collagenase (IC50 =408.10±20.80 µg/mL), elastase (IC50 =0.17±0.01 µg/mL) and tyrosinase (IC50 =8.45±0.40 µg/mL). The valuable binding interactions and docking scores were observed for caryophyllene oxide and α-zingiberene with acetylcholinesterase. Besides, α-zingibirene followed by linalool and τ-cadinol revealed tight fitting with collagenase and elastase. Additionally, linalool, spathulenol and τ-cadinol showed the best binding energy to tyrosinase. This study provides valuable scientific data on A. sellowiana as potential candidates for the development of natural antiaging formulations. The current study provided scientific evidence for the potential use of feijoa essential oils in antiaging formulations and as an adjuvant for the prophylaxis against Alzheimer disease.