Origanum heracleoticum Essential Oils: Chemical Composition, Phytotoxic and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activities

Abstract

Many studies have demonstrated the herbicidal effects of several essential oils and their possible use as substitutes for chemical herbicides. Several enzymes play a very significant role in seed germination: among these, α-amylase could be involved in essential oil phytotoxic processes. The aims of this study were to compare the chemical composition of the essential oils of two ecotypes of O. heracleoticum growing in Cilento (Southern Italy) and to study their possible use as natural herbicide using Raphanus sativus, Sinapis arvensis and Lolium multiflorum seeds. Moreover, a possible inhibitory activity on the α-amylase enzyme extracted from germinating seeds was evaluated as a possible mechanism of action. Both oils, characterized by GC-MS, belonged to a carvacrol chemotype. The alpha-amylase activity was determined using DNSA (dinitrosalicylic acid) assay quantifying the reducing sugar produced. Furthermore, the essential oils demonstrated phytotoxicity at the highest dose tested, and an inhibitory effect on α-amylase, probably correlated with the phytotoxic effects, was registered. The oils showed interesting phytotoxic and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities, which deserve to be further investigated.

A Study of the Chemical Composition, Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Bulgarian Tanacetum parthenium Essential Oil

“…In the last two decades, research on herbs with potential uses in medicine has thrived [ 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. The results demonstrated in the current study represent an important key point for future research regarding the short-term use of T. parthenium EO.…”

A Study of the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Acute Toxicity of Bulgarian Tanacetum vulgare L. Essential Oil

“…The LD 50 has been found to be between 5 and 15 g/kg, which corresponds to toxicological level 5 on the Hodge and Sterner scale, i.e., it is practically non-toxic to humans [ 29 ]. In the last two decades, research on herbs with potential use in medicine is thriving [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The antioxidant potential and the non-toxicity of T. vulgare L. EO demonstrated in the current study would be an important key point for future research.…”

Antimicrobial, Herbicidal and pesticidal potential of Tunisian eucalyptus species: Chemoprofiling and biological evaluation

“…Existing literature only encompasses two prior studies that hint at a potential correlation between the phytotoxic and anti-α-amylase activities of Eucalyptus pulverulenta Sims, E. gunnii Hook. f., and O. heracleoticum L. EOs [ 8 , 56 ].…”