Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Essential Oils from Wild Growing Aromatic Plant Species of Skimmia laureola and Juniperus macropoda from Western Himalaya

Abstract

The Himalayan region is very rich in a great variety of medicinal plants. In this investigation the essential oils of two selected species are described for their antimicrobial and larvicidal as well as biting deterrent activities. Additionally, the odors are characterized. Analyzed by simultaneous GC-MS and GC-FID, the essential oils' chemical compositions are given. The main components of Skimmia laureola oil were linalool and linalyl acetate whereas sabinene was found as the main compound for Juniperus macropoda essential oil. Antibacterial testing by agar dilution assay revealed highest activity of S. laureola oil against all tested bacteria, followed by J. macropoda oil. Antifungal activity was evaluated against the strawberry anthracnose causing plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides. Juniperus macropoda essential oil indicated higher antifungal activity against all three pathogens than S. laureola oil. Both essential oils showed biting deterrent activity above solvent control but low larvicidal activity.

Blue Tansy Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Repellent Activity Against Aedes aegypti and Attractant Activity for Ceratitis capitata

“…In recent years, reduced-risk agents such as essential oils and natural ("green") volatile compounds have gained increased recognition as key elements for improving integrated pest management strategies. 8,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Tanacetum annuum L. (synonyms: Balsamita annua L., B. multifida Clemente, and Chrysanthemum annuum [L.] Fiori) is a member of the giant family of Asteraceae (Compositae). Members of the genus Tanacetum have been used for medicinal purposes for decades due to their wide range of pharmacological and chemical properties as well as excellent medicinal values.…”

“…In recent years, reduced-risk agents such as essential oils and natural (“green”) volatile compounds have gained increased recognition as key elements for improving integrated pest management strategies. 8,13 -27…”

Himalayan Aromatic Medicinal Plants: A Review of their Ethnopharmacology, Volatile Phytochemistry, and Biological Activities

“…The leaf essential oils of J. macropoda have shown wide variation in chemical composition. A sample of leaf oil from Chamba, Himachal Pradesh had sabinene (27.5%), cedrol (14.1%), and terpinen-4-ol (9.4%) as the major components [ 154 ]. This oil did show antifungal activity and mosquito larvicidal activity.…”

Assessment of chemical and genetic variability in Tanacetum gracile accessions collected from cold desert of Western Himalaya

“…(Rutaceae), while sabinene was the main component in Juniperus macropoda Boiss. (Cupressaceae) (Stappen et al 2015a). Similarly, chemical profiling of essential oils from two Lamiaceae family members from Western Himalaya showed that pinocarvone, cis-pinocamphone and β-pinene were the main components of Hyssopus officinalis L. oil, while citronellol was the main component in oil of Dracocephalum 1 3 284 Page 2 of 9 heterophyllum Benth.…”