Screening Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils from Origanum syriacum L. Growing in Turkey

Abstract

Essential (volatile) oils of herbs and their components, products from the secondary metabolism of a plant, have many applications in folk medicine, food flavoring and preservation as well as in the fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of essential oils have been known for a long time, and a number of investigations have been conducted on their antimicrobial activities using various bacteria, viruses and fungi. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Free radicals, e.g., superoxide ions (O 2 · Ϫ ), hydroxyl radicals (OH · ) and non-free radical compounds, can be responsible for lipid peroxidation (deterioration) in foods [7][8][9] and for various diseases such as malaria, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, heart disease, stroke, arteriosclerosis, diabetes and cancer etc. 10,11) It has been reported that some synthetic antioxidant compounds such as butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, commonly used in processed foods, have side effects. 12,13) Therefore, investigations on identifying the natural antioxidants have become very important issue. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] In this study, the leaves of Syrian oreganum (Origanum syriacum L.) were screened for their antioxidant activity as well as antimicrobial properties and chemical composition.O. syriacum is native to the eastern Mediterranean, southern Europe and western Asia, and is cultivated in many parts of the world and commonly called Syrian oreganum, bible hyssop or wild marjoram. The descriptions of O. syriacum are as follows: Subshrub to 90 cm, hirsute-tomentose. Branches to 10 pairs per stem, to 10 a lenght of cm. Leaves petiolate or subsessile (petiole to 8 mm), ovate, 5-35ϫ4-23 mm, acute or obtuse, entire or remotely serrulate or crenulate, veins raised on lower surface. Spicules in paniculate inflorescence, c. 5-25ϫ4 mm. Bracts obovate or elliptic, 2-5ϫ1.5-3.5 mm, acute or obtuse, entire or denticulate. Calyx c. 2.5 mm. Corolla 4.5-7.5 mm. Fl. 5-10. Calcareous rocks and slopes, often in partial shade, 200-2700 m. 22)The leaves of O. syriacum, a very popular Arab spice, have been used as an herbal (traditional) medicine, flavour, fragrance and for aromatherapy in the form of bath, massage, steam inhalation, and vapurization. 23,24) It is used in teas and cooked or baked foods. It has a strong oregano flavor and also is thought to be the "Hyssop" mentioned in the Bible and to have powers of spiritual purification.The essential oils from the leaves of Syrian oreganum reportedly have ovicidal, 25) bioherbicidal, 24) insecticidal, 26,27) antifungal 28) and antimycotic activities.29) The present study was undertaken to verify the chemical composition, antioxidant activities and antimicrobial activities of these oils from leaves of this plant growing in maquis in the southern part of Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODSIn this study, the leaves of Syrian oreganum [Origanum syriacum L. Science, Hiroshima University; 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan. Received June 19, 2003; accepted August 5, 200...

Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil from leaves ofMyrciaria tenellaandCalycorectes sellowianus

“…clove oil, cinnamon leaves, and copaiba balsam, all of which have been used as natural remedies and as fragrances. This compound is also known to have antimicrobial (Alma et al, 2003;Lourens et al, 2004), antioxidant (Lourens et al, 2004, Singh et al, 2006, anticarcinogenic (Kubo et al, 1996) and skin-penetration-enhancing properties (Cornwell & Barry, 1994). Essential oils containing this compound as a major component showed marked anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-and prostaglandin E 1 -induced edema in rats as well as anti-arthritic activity (Martin et al, 1993;Baricevic et al, 2001;Agarwal & Rangari, 2003).…”

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and antilipid peroxidation effects of a medicinal plant, Adhatoda vasica

“…These ROS, produced by a number of exogenous sources, are potentially damaging transient chemical species and are considered to be important factors in causing decreased cell fluidity and permeability, cell dysfunction and mutations, and in the onset of diseases such as ageing, arteriosclerosis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and strokes (Alma et al 2003). ROS are produced in the intracellular system, including cytoplasmic molecules, cytoplasmic proteins, membrane enzymes, peroxisomes, and mitochondrial and microsomic electron transport systems (Martinez 1995;Gulcin 2006).…”

Medicinal Plants from Jordan in the Treatment of Diabetes: Traditional Uses vs.In VitroandIn VivoEvaluations – Part 2

“…Significantly improved whole-body insulin sensitivity [122,123] induced changes of postprandial peptide YY and ghrelin responses [124] and increased postprandial cholecystokinin levels [125]. Dihydroavenanthramide D protects pancreatic beta-cells from cytokine and STZ toxicity [117] Monoterpene glucosides [140], oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes [141]. Polar phenolic analytes; hydroxyl-benzoates, hydroxylcinnamates, and flavonoids [142].…”