Biological Properties of Mentha viridis L. Essential Oil and Its Main Monoterpene Constituents

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic, dermatoprotective, and antibacterial activities of Mentha viridis L. essential oil (MVEO) collected in the province of Ouezzane (Northwest Morocco). Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis revealed that the main constituents of MVEO were carvone (37.26%), 1,8‐cineole (11.82%), limonene (5.27%), α‐terpineol (4.16%), and β‐caryophyllene (4.04%). MVEO showed strong inhibitory effects on α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activities, exceeding those of acarbose, but weak anti‐elastase activity. The main compounds, β‐caryophyllene (IC50 = 79.91 ± 2.24 and 62.08 ± 2.78 µg/mL) and limonene (IC50 = 90.73 ± 3.47 and 68.98 ± 1, 60 µg/mL), demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on both digestive enzymes (α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase, respectively). In silico investigations, using molecular docking, also showed the inhibitory potential of these bioactive compounds against the enzymes tested. In conclusion, MVEO, due to its main components such as limonene, 1,8‐cineole, β‐caryophyllene, carvone, and α‐terpineol, shows promising prospects for drug discovery and natural therapeutic applications.