Antioxidant, Antigenotoxic and Cytotoxic Activity of Essential Oils and Methanol Extracts of Hyssopus officinalis L. Subsp. aristatus (Godr.) Nyman (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

Hyssopus officinalis L. is a well-known aromatic plant used in traditional medicine and the food and cosmetics industry. The aim of this study is to assess the antioxidant, genotoxic, antigenotoxic and cytotoxic properties of characterized hyssop essential oils and methanol extracts. Chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography with diode array detection and mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS), respectively. Antioxidant activity was examined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) tests; genotoxic and antigenotoxic activity were examined by the comet assay, while cytotoxicity was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide dye (MTT) test against tumor cell lines (SW480, MDA-MB 231, HeLa) and non-transformed human lung fibroblast cell lines (MRC-5). The essential oils were rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (e.g., limonene; 7.99–23.81%), oxygenated monoterpenes (1,8-cineole; 38.19–67.1%) and phenylpropanoids (methyl eugenol; 0.00–28.33%). In methanol extracts, the most abundant phenolics were chlorogenic and rosmarinic acid (23.35–33.46 and 3.53–17.98 mg/g, respectively). Methanol extracts expressed moderate to weak antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 56.04–199.89 µg/mL, FRAP = 0.667–0.959 mmol Fe2+/g). Hyssop preparations significantly reduced DNA damage in human whole blood cells, induced by pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide. Methanol extracts exhibited selective and potent dose- and time-dependent activity against the HeLa cell line. Results of the current study demonstrated notable H. officinalis medicinal potential, which calls for further investigation.

Hyssopus Essential Oil: An Update of Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Safety Profile

“…Hyssop oil from different phenotypes or different areas shows great variability in chemical composition [ 25 – 28 ]. The chemical composition can be related to many factors, such as the origin, geography, climate and technological influence, stages of development, parts used, and harvesting time, as well as the presence of chemotypes [ 29 ].…”

“…The essential oil and the extracts isolated from plants demonstrated average in vitro antibacterial activity, antimycotic insect killing, and antiviral properties [ 52 , 53 ]. Hyssop essential oil extracts showed excellent antioxidant and anticancer activities [ 28 , 54 ], although there is significant potential that has yet to be investigated [ 55 , 56 ].…”

“…In another study, the hyssop extracts from Serbia and Turkey showed an IC 50 value of 156.60 mg/mL and 16.37 mg/mL [ 8 , 57 ]. The differences in the antioxidant properties are due to genetic factors, environmental conditions, and geographic origin [ 28 ]. Antioxidant activity of the hyssop essential oil attributed towards the chelating power of transition metals.…”

“…High antioxidant activity was suggested to be due to the components of hyssop essential oil such as linalool and methyl eugenol. In another study, Hyssopus essential oils showed antitumor activity against tumor cells lines (HeLa, MRC-5, and MDA-MB231) [ 28 ]. On the same way, H. officinalis subsp.…”

Protective Effects of Hyssopus Officinalis and Medicago Sativa Extracts in Salmonella-Induced Colitis by Regulating Antioxidant and Inflammatory Mediators

“…The length of the colon has been found to decrease in colitis groups; this factor is also used to predict inflammation [19]. In treatment groups, the Hyssop group has been shown to prevent a decrease in colon length, which aligns with research done by Micovic., et al in which they used this extract, and it highlighted anti-inflammatory qualities in colon cells due to its possession of flavonoids and phenolic acids, tannins [20].…”