Anti-Diabetes, Anti-Gout, and Anti-Leukemia Properties of Essential Oils from Natural Spices Clausena indica, Zanthoxylum rhetsa, and Michelia tonkinensis

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) of Clausena indica fruits, Zanthoxylum rhetsa fruits, and Michelia tonkinensis seeds were analyzed for their phytochemical profiles and biological activities, including anti-diabetes, anti-gout, and anti-leukemia properties. Sixty-six volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), in which, myristicin (68.3%), limonene (44.2%), and linalool (49.3%) were the most prominent components of EOs extracted from C. indica, Z. rhetsa, and M. tonkinensis, respectively. In addition, only EOs from C. indica inhibited the activities of all tested enzymes comprising α-amylase (IC50 = 7.73 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.84 mg/mL), and xanthine oxidase (IC50 = 0.88 mg/mL), which are related to type 2 diabetes and gout. Remarkably, all EOs from C. indica, Z. rhetsa (IC50 = 0.73 mg/mL), and M. tonkinensis (IC50 = 1.46 mg/mL) showed a stronger anti-α-glucosidase ability than acarbose (IC50 = 2.69 mg/mL), a known anti-diabetic agent. Moreover, the growth of leukemia cell Meg-01 was significantly suppressed by all EOs, of which, the IC50 values were recorded as 0.32, 0.64, and 0.31 mg/mL for EOs from C. indica, Z. rhetsa, and M. tonkinensis, respectively. As it stands, this is the first report about the inhibitory effects of EOs from C. indica and Z. rhetsa fruits, and M. tonkinensis seeds on the human leukemia cell line Meg-01 and key enzymes linked to diabetes and gout. In conclusion, the present study suggests that EOs from these natural spices may be promising candidates for pharmaceutical industries to develop nature-based drugs to treat diabetes mellitus or gout, as well as malignant hematological diseases such as leukemia.

From Natural Sources to Synthetic Derivatives: The Allyl Motif as a Powerful Tool for Fragment-Based Design in Cancer Treatment

“…Myristicin ( 27 ) is the major component of nutmeg ( Myristica fragrans ) and is found in smaller proportions in other species such as Anethum graveolens (dill) and Petroselinum crispum (parsley). Myristicin ( 27 ) is reported to have several pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, , antimicrobial, , antidiabetic, , anticancer, − anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities. However, when it is used in very high amounts (400 mg or more), 27 can express toxic effects, leading to liver degeneration and mental confusion, as it is toxic to the central nervous system.…”

Chemical constituents and biological activities of the seed essential oil from Michelia tonkinensis grown in Thanh Hoa province, Viet Nam

“…[17] However, in the seed EO of M. tonkinensis growing in Bac Kan province, safrole only accounts for a small amount (4.6%); the main components of this essential oil were linalool (49.3%) and methyl eugenol (16.9%). [18] Safrole has been shown to have antibacterial and antifungal activities. [19]…”

Quality Standards and Pharmacological Interventions of Natural Oils: Current Scenario and Future Perspectives

“…With DPPH radical scavenging and ABTS radical cation decolorization assays, the antioxidant capabilities of the EOs were evaluated. 147 The stable free radical DPPH ( spectrophotometer is used to evaluate the antioxidant activity at 517 nm and calculate the percentage of radical scavenging activity. 148 Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was assessed using the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) photochemical technique.…”

“…However, there are several in vitro chemical based assays for the determination of antioxidant activities of medicinal plants and their derived products. With DPPH radical scavenging and ABTS radical cation decolorization assays, the antioxidant capabilities of the EOs were evaluated . The stable free radical DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) is employed to mimic the antioxidant action of the chemical components of EOs.…”