The essential oil extracted from Citrus × natsudaidai (Yu. Tanaka) Hayata peels is known to have various biological properties. However, the chemical composition of essential oil is influenced by the ripening stages of fruits, which then affects related biological activities. This study investigates the antioxidant activities of essential oils extracted from Citrus × natsudaidai peels at different ripening stages (immature, mature, and overripe). The essential oils were extracted using the hydro-distillation method. As a result of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, d-limonene was dominant and was increased as matured. However, γ-terpinene was decreased. The antioxidant properties and their total phenolic content (TPC) were influenced by the ripening stages. The TPC was highest in the immature stage of essential oil (1,011.25 ± 57.15 mg GAE/100 g). 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was excellent in the immature stage (EC50 = 15.91 ± 0.38 mg/mL). 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was superior in overripe stage (EC50 = 20.43 ± 0.37 mg/mL). The antioxidant activity measured using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay showed higher values for the essential oils in immaturity (1,342.37 ± 71.07 mg Fe 2+ /100 g). Comprehensively, the essential oil in the immature stage showed the best antioxidant activity. Finally, knowing the chemical composition and antioxidant activity at different ripening stages will provide data for selecting the right fruit.
The Lauraceae family has commercial uses, such as in the food, pharmaceutical, and perfume industries. This study was conducted to investigate anti-asthmatic activity of essential oils from the seven species in the Lauraceae family. The essential oils were extracted from the leaves of seven species, and the chemical composition was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major constituents of essential oils differed depending on the species, even if they belonged to the same family. The main constituents were camphor (89.09%) in Cinnamomum camphora, linalool (26.91%) in Cinnamomum cassia, 1,8-cineole (23.90%) in Cinnamomum japonicum, d-limonene (10.27%) and β-eudesmol (10.03%) in Lindera obtusiloba, δ -cadinene (13.85%) and α-phellandrene (11.57%) in Machilus japonica, cis-,trans-β-ocimene (13.80% and 12.06%) and elemol (11.46%) in Neolitsea aciculata, and cis-β-ocimene (37.94%) and sabinene (24.91%) in Neolitsea sericea. The anti-asthmatic activity of essential oils was investigated using the lipopolysaccharide-induced NCI-H292 cells. The relative expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6] and mucus gene (MUC5AC and MUC5B) were significantly reduced by essential oils from seven species in the Lauraceae family. Among the seven essential oils, the essential oil from L. obtusiloba had the most superior anti-asthmatic activity. These results suggest that the essential oil of L. obtusiloba leaves could be used as an agent to suppress mucus hypersecretion.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.