The aim of this study was to determine, first, the chemical composition of Aloysia polystachya (Griseb) Moldenke essential oil, from leaves harvested in central Chile; and second, its antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Eight compounds were identified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses, with the most representative being R-carvone (91.03%), R-limonene (4.10%), and dihydrocarvone (1.07%). For Aloysia polystachya essential oil, antioxidant assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP)) showed good antioxidant activity compared to commercial antioxidant controls; and anti-proliferative assays against three human cancer cell lines (colon, HT-29; prostate, PC-3; and breast, MCF-7) determined an IC50 of 5.85, 6.74, and 9.53 µg/mL, and selectivity indices of 4.75, 4.12, and 2.92 for HT-29, PC-3, and MCF-7, respectively. We also report on assays with CCD 841 CoN (colon epithelial). Overall, results from this study may represent, in the near future, developments for natural-based cancer treatments.

Fungal diseases, both pre- and post-harvest, are currently difficult to control—increased antifungal resistances have further stimulated the search for natural alternatives. The objective of the present research work was to evaluate the antifungal activities of Mentha pulegium essential oil (EO) and its major constituents. The EO was obtained from hydro distillation of fresh leaves, and composition was determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main components were identified as pulegone (29.33%), menthol (28.79%), menthone (20.48%), and isopulegol (9.75%). EO and isopulegol exhibited the highest antifungal activity, with half maximal effective concentrations (EC50) inhibiting mycelial activity of Monilinia fructicola at 24.6 µg/mL and 20.8 µg/mL, respectively, and against Botrytis cinerea, at 301.45 µg/mL and 333.84 µg/mL, respectively. These findings could lay the foundation for developing antifungal agents of agricultural value.

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Six new cyclodiprenyl phenols were synthesized by direct coupling of perillyl alcohol and the appropriate phenol. Their structures were established by IR, HRMS and mainly NMR. Three human cancer cell lines—breast (MCF-7), prostate (PC-3) and colon (HT-29)—were used in antiproliferative assays, with daunorubicin and dunnione as positive controls. Results described in the article suggest that dihydroxylated compounds 2–4 and monohydroxylated compound 5 display selectivity against cancer cell lines, cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and mitochondrial membrane impairment capacity. Compound 2 was identified as the most effective of the series by displaying against all cancer cell lines a cytotoxicity close to dunnione antineoplastic agent, suggesting that the cyclodiprenyl phenols from perillyl alcohol deserve more extensive investigation of their potential medicinal applications.

This work reports on the synthesis of eight new 2′-hydroxy-chalcones with potential anti-phytopathogenic applications in agroindustry, among others, via Claisen–Schmidt condensation and ultrasound assisted reaction. Assays showed three chalcones with allyl moieties strongly inhibited growth of phytopathogenic oomycete Phytophthora infestans; moreover, compound 8a had a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value (32.5 µg/mL) similar to that of metalaxyl (28.6 µg/mL). A software-aided quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analysis of the whole series suggests that the structural features of these new chalcones—namely, the fluoride, hydroxyl, and amine groups over the carbon 3′ of the chalcone skeleton—increase anti-oomycete activity.