The Origanum genus belongs to the Lamiaceae famly. O. vulgare L. is one of the most renowned aromatic species, with a strong traditional background as both a spice and medicinal plant [1]. O. majorana L., thanks to its rich chemical profile in terms of essential oil and plant extracts, is considered a plant with valuable pharmacological activities [2]. O. dictamnus L., known as ‘Dittany of Crete’ possesses numerous medicinal uses, such as antibacterial and antifungal properties[3]. O. heracleoticum L., also known as with the name of ‘Greek oregano’, has been used in traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of cough and toothache[4]. The aims of this study were: I) to determine the chemical composition of O. vulgare, O. majorana, O. dictamnus, and O. heracleoticum essential oils (EOs) obtained from their aerial parts using GC coupled to GC/MS; II) to evaluate their anti-enzymatic activity on enzymes involved in metabolism (α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase) and in the Central Nervous System (acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase and tyrosinase); III) to determine the mechanism of inhibition through Michaelis–Menten kinetics. O. vulgare and O. dictamnus EOs were mainly composed of carvacrol and p-cymene. They were the most active against butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 260 and 190 μg/mL, respectively) and α-glucosidase (IC50: 520 and 460 μg/mL, respectively). O. majorana EO was predominantly characterized by γ-terpinene and terpinen-4-ol, resulting the only sample active against α-amylase and the most active against tyrosinase (IC50: 250 μg/mL). O. heracleoticum EO was mainly composed of carvacrol, thymol and γ-terpinene and it was the most active against acetylcholinesterase (IC50: 0.51 μg/mL) and lipase (IC50: 14.94 μg/mL). The results obtained highlighted the differences between the four Origanum species, in terms of chemical composition and biological activities. These findings draw attention to the potential use of EOs of Origanum in the health sector, particularly in the management of metabolic and Central Nervous System disorders.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTI-ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF THE VOLATILE FRACTION OF FOUR SPECIES BELONGING TO THE ORIGANUM GENUS.
Giuseppe Amato
;Lucia Caputo;Laura De Martino
2024
Abstract
The Origanum genus belongs to the Lamiaceae famly. O. vulgare L. is one of the most renowned aromatic species, with a strong traditional background as both a spice and medicinal plant [1]. O. majorana L., thanks to its rich chemical profile in terms of essential oil and plant extracts, is considered a plant with valuable pharmacological activities [2]. O. dictamnus L., known as ‘Dittany of Crete’ possesses numerous medicinal uses, such as antibacterial and antifungal properties[3]. O. heracleoticum L., also known as with the name of ‘Greek oregano’, has been used in traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of cough and toothache[4]. The aims of this study were: I) to determine the chemical composition of O. vulgare, O. majorana, O. dictamnus, and O. heracleoticum essential oils (EOs) obtained from their aerial parts using GC coupled to GC/MS; II) to evaluate their anti-enzymatic activity on enzymes involved in metabolism (α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase) and in the Central Nervous System (acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase and tyrosinase); III) to determine the mechanism of inhibition through Michaelis–Menten kinetics. O. vulgare and O. dictamnus EOs were mainly composed of carvacrol and p-cymene. They were the most active against butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 260 and 190 μg/mL, respectively) and α-glucosidase (IC50: 520 and 460 μg/mL, respectively). O. majorana EO was predominantly characterized by γ-terpinene and terpinen-4-ol, resulting the only sample active against α-amylase and the most active against tyrosinase (IC50: 250 μg/mL). O. heracleoticum EO was mainly composed of carvacrol, thymol and γ-terpinene and it was the most active against acetylcholinesterase (IC50: 0.51 μg/mL) and lipase (IC50: 14.94 μg/mL). The results obtained highlighted the differences between the four Origanum species, in terms of chemical composition and biological activities. These findings draw attention to the potential use of EOs of Origanum in the health sector, particularly in the management of metabolic and Central Nervous System disorders.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
