Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don Essential Oil from Serbia: Chemical Composition, Classification and Biological Activity—May It Be a Suitable New Crop for Serbia?

Abstract

H. italicum essential oil (EO) is one of the most popular ingredients utilized by the cosmetic industry, and it is also used as natural antioxidant and as a value-added ingredient in food products. The chemical composition of the EO H. italicum cultivated in Serbia was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The quantitative structure–retention relationship was used to predict the retention indices of the EO constituents acquired by GC-MS data, applying five molecular descriptors selected by factor analysis and a genetic algorithm. Also, antimicrobial activity, and biological activity by four common antioxidant tests (DPPH and ABTS assays, reducing power, and β-carotene bleaching test), and in vitro antihyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory capacities were evaluated. A total of 70 EO constituents were detected, of which 17 (8.5%) could not be identified. The H. italicum EO in this study belonged to γ-curcumene chemotype. The coefficients of determination reached the value of 0.964, demonstrating that this model could be used for prediction purposes. All applied tests showed that H. italicum EO possesses good biological activity and an interesting chemical composition. Therefore, the EO of H. italicum grown in Serbia has a potential to be used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.

Formulation and Evaluation of Helichrysum italicum Essential Oil-Based Topical Formulations for Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

“…The composition of the present oil is in accordance with previously reported literature data. A-pinene and γ-curcumene are the main ingredients of H. italicum essential oil from the Adriatic coast [18][19][20][21], while oil from Tuscany mainly contained α-pinene and neryl acetate [22]. The dominant component in oil from Sardinia was also γ-curcumene, while sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most represented chemical class in Crete oil [23].…”

“…On the other hand, oil from the Greek island of Amorgos was dominated by geraniol [24]. Therefore, the chemical composition of immortelle essential oil demonstrates intraspecific differences in response to environmental factors such as geographic origin, vegetation cycle, soil properties, altitude, and climatic conditions [21]. The variability of the bioactive compounds, and sometimes synergistic effects between them have a strong influence on their biological activity [21].…”

Volatolomics of Three South African Helichrysum Species Grown in Pot under Protected Environment

“…cymosum studied by Giovanelli et al [ 4 ]. γ-Curcumene, a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon typical of the EO of H. italicum (Roth) G. Don was reported as the main component of Serbian samples [ 18 ]. This chemical compound, together with rosifoliol, was detected in appreciable percentages in the EO of H .…”

“…Aćimović at al. [ 18 ], in fact, evidenced that Helichrysum chemotypes containing γ-curcumene as main component could be used in perfumery industries thanks to their appreciated fragrances, as well as in food and pharmaceutical industries as natural preservatives.…”

A New Sesquiterpene Essential Oil from the Native Andean Species Jungia rugosa Less (Asteraceae): Chemical Analysis, Enantiomeric Evaluation, and Cholinergic Activity

“…Regarding γ-curcumene, it derives its name from Curcuma longa L. (turmeric), but we must look at Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don (Asteraceae) to find an important and widely studied botanical species where γ-curcumene is often a major constituent. Other Helichrysum species are also familiar with similar sesquiterpene compositions [49]. On the one hand, despite γ-curcumene being quite common and known for a long time, no exhaustive studies on its pharmacology can be found.…”