Ocimum campechianum Mill. from Amazonian Ecuador: Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Extracts and Their Main Constituents (Eugenol and Rosmarinic Acid)

Abstract

The essential oil (EO), the methanolic (MeOH), and the 70% ethanolic (70% EtOH) extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Ocimum campechianum Mill. (Ecuador) were chemically characterized through gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detector (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array-mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS) and studied for their in vitro biological activity. The radical scavenger activity, performed by spectrophotometric 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, highlighted significant IC50 values for the EO, extracts and their main constituents (eugenol and rosmarinic acid). EO (and eugenol) showed noteworthy activity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and a moderate effect against clinical Candida strains, with possible synergism in association to fluconazole against the latter microorganisms. The extracts and pure molecules exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against the HaCat cell line and no mutagenicity against Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, giving indication of safety. Instead, EO showed a weak activity against adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549). The above-mentioned evidence leads us to suggest a potential use of the crude drug, extracts, and EO in cosmetic formulation and food supplements as antioxidant agents. In addition, EO may also have a possible application in plant protection and anti-Candida formulations.

Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants: An Update and Perspectives

“…In general, oil compositions were fully determined using GC/MS and GC/FID analyses; in addition, the oil enantiomer composition and odorant characteristics were often established. As regards the biological activities of the EOs, the activity of Renealmia thyrsoidea EO against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [102], as well as the antifungal activity of Lepechinia radula [63], Ocimum campechianum [65], Piper ecuadorense [88], and Piper pubinervulum [90] EOs against Candida and Trichophyton strains, which are common causes of severe forms of candidiasis and dermatophytosis, are of great interest. Moreover, it is important to underline the strong acaricidal activity of a mixture of Bursera graveolens and Schinus molle EOs [44], the repellent effects of Dacryodes peruviana EO against mosquitoes [45], and the anti-termite properties of Ocotea quixos EO [70].…”

“…The volatile fractions from the methanol and the 70% aqueous ethanol extracts of the aerial parts of the plant were chemically characterized using GC/MS and HPLC-DAD-MS techniques [65].…”

“…This evidence suggests a potential use of the crude drug, extracts, and the EO as antioxidant agents in cosmetic formulations and food supplements. In addition, the EO may also have potential applications in plant protection and anti-Candida formulations [65].…”

“…The flavanone sakuranetin (64) and two benzoic acid derivatives, namely, lanceaefolic acid methyl ester (65) and cyclolanceaefolic acid methyl ester (66) (Figure 9), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of dried leaves. Thirty-five compounds were identified in the volatile fraction of the plant, whose main constituents were safrole (48.3%), apiole (13.6%), γ-terpinene (4.1%), (E)-β-ocimene (3.9%), and epi-α-cadinol (2.9%) [89].…”

Wild Italian Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus (Godr.) Nyman: From Morphological and Phytochemical Evidences to Biological Activities

“…HPLC analyses of ethanolic extracts of H. officinalis subsp. aristatus were performed using a model PU 2089 modular HPLC system (JASCO, Tokyo, Japan,) coupled to a diode array apparatus (MD 2010 Plus) and a FinniganMAT LCQ (ThermoQuest Corp./FinniganMAT; San Jose, CA, USA) mass spectrometer module linked to an injection valve with a 20 µL sampler, according to previously described [39]. A Kinetex-C18 column (150×4.6 mm, 100 Å) was used.…”