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In this study, antimicrobial activity of the essential oil (EO) and extracts of Himalayan-thyme (Thymus linearis Benth.) was evaluated against nine pathogenic microbial strains using disc diffusion and microdilution broth assays. The chemical composition of the EO was determined by gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The molecular mechanism of action of the EO was investigated against three pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis) and three fungal strains (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis) using the assays of protein leakage, and DNA and RNA leakage through the membrane. Major components of the EO were thymol (54.9%), γ-terpinene (16.6%) and p- cymene (5.2%). The EO showed broad-spectrum potent antibacterial and antifungal activity (MIC 240–990 µg/mL) against test strains. The EO damaged cell membranes and altered cell membrane permeability of test microorganisms. The EO showed a time- and dose-dependent bactericidal and fungicidal effect. It could act as a promising antimicrobial agent due to its short killing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was framed to assess the essential oil yield and quality of four varieties of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. var. motia Burk, viz. Trishna, Tripta, PRC-1 and CIMAP-Harsh under the salt affected soil with intervention of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The essential oil yield (7.04-12.70 g kg-1 fresh biomass) and geraniol yield (5.71-10.56 g kg-1 fresh biomass) were significantly affected by the variety, soil type and AMF inoculation. Altogether, twenty-eight constituents, representing 96.90-99.43% of the total oil compositions were identified using Gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionisation detection and GC-mass spectrometry techniques. Major constituents of the oils of different varieties were geraniol (76.73-83.28%), geranyl acetate (6.60-13.06%), linalool (0.90-3.00%), (2E,6Z)-farnesol (0.80-3.00%), geranial (0.30-2.03%), myrcene (0.54-2.00%), (E)-β-ocimene (0.43-1.95%), (E)-caryophyllene (0.30-1.30%) and geranyl hexanoate (0.31-1.20%). Significantly higher essential oil and geraniol yields were observed in var. Tripta due to AMF intervention (Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus aggregatum). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Cuscuta reflexa is parasitic plant of subtropical and temperate areas, commonly named as amarbel or akasvel in India. Present study is to investigate the In-vivo anti-inflammatory potential of C. reflexa seed essential oil. In this study the essential oil was hydro-distilled from dried seeds and analyzed for chemical profiling and anti-inflammatory activity. In –vivo activity was performed on mice inducing TPA as disease causing agent. Study of biochemical parameter and oxidative stress was performed by taking homogenate of ear pinna of mice. Chemical analysis is done by GC and GC-MS study, we found β-Bisabolene and Hexahydro farnesyl acetone as the major component as 13.2 and 14.2% respectively along with cis -chrysanthenyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide, carotol, caryophyllene oxide. In-vitro activity of cell viability was assessed using RAW 264.7 macrophages, showed no reduction in viable cell in the processed culture. In-vivo it significantly reduces the inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α). Cuscuta reflexa seed essential oil was found effective in the management of inflammation by encountering the inflammatory mediators (cytokines). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the process of distillation, the hydrophilic part of the essential oil dissolves in the aqueous distillate that is generally considered waste and discarded. The decanted (main essential oil) and hydrophilic (recovered essential oil) fractions of peppermint (Mentha piperita cv Kukrail) and spearmint (Mentha spicata cv MSS-5) essential oils were investigated by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The decanted essential oils of spearmint and peppermint were richer in monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons compared to the recovered essential oils. In peppermint, oxygenated monoterpenes (82.85-85.59%), especially alcohols, were higher in recovered essential oil (58.22%) than decanted essential oil (41.03%). Similarly, in spearmint, the percentage of oxygenated monoterpenes was higher in recovered essential oil (83.08%) than decanted oil (59.84%). The recovered and decanted essential oils of both Mentha species demonstrated low to moderate antimicrobial activity against five bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosa damascena Mill. (Rosaceae), commonly known as damask rose, is an ancient medicinal and perfumery plant used in Traditional Unani Medicine due to various therapeutic effects, including cardiovascular benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect of the 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) isolated from the spent flowers of R. damascena which remain after the extraction of essential oil. The freshly collected flowers of R. damascena were hydro-distilled in a Clevenger's type apparatus to extract the rose essential oil (REO). After removing the REO, the spent-flower hydro-distillate was collected and extracted with organic solvents to yield a spent-flower hydro-distillate extract (SFHE), which was further purified by column chromatography. The SFHE and its isolate were characterized by gas chromatography (GC-FID), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The PEA, isolated from SFHE, was evaluated for vasorelaxation response in conduit blood vessels like rat aorta and resistant vessels like mesenteric artery. The preliminary screening of PEA was done in aortic preparation pre-constricted with phenylephrine/U46619. Further, a concentration-dependent relaxation response to PEA has been elicited in both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded arterial rings, and the mode of action was explored. The SFHE revealed the presence of PEA as the main constituent (89.36%), which was further purified by column chromatography to a purity of 95.0%. The PEA exhibited potent vasorelaxation response both in conduit vessels like the rat aorta and resistance vessels like the mesenteric artery. The relaxation response is mediated without any involvement of vascular endothelium. Further, TEA sensitive BK C a channel was found to be the major target for PEA-induced relaxation response in these blood vessels. The spent flowers of R. damascena , which remain after the extraction of REO, could be used to extract PEA. The PEA possessed marked vasorelaxation properties in both aorta and mesenteric artery and showed promise for development into an herbal product against hypertension. [Display omitted] • Damask rose is an ancient medicinal and perfumery plant. • 2-Phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) isolated from the rose residue. • PEA showed a potent vasorelaxation effect in rat aorta and mesenteric artery. • BK Ca channel was found to be a major therapeutic target. • Study validates the traditional claim of the cardiovascular potential of the rose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]