Mentha arvensis oil exhibits repellent acute toxic and antioxidant activities in Nauphoeta cinerea

Abstract Mentha arvensis is an herbaceous plant commonly known as peppermint or Japanese mint. This study investigated the toxic potential and repellent efficacy of M. arvensis essential oil (MaEO) at varying concentrations (15.625–250 mg/mL) in Nauphoeta cinerea, along with its impact on biochemical parameters in N. cinerea. The potential of the major compounds as a new analgesic target was investigated using molecular docking. The essential oil was analyzed by gas Chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the toxic potential, repellent property, and changes in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were evaluated as markers of oxidative stress. GC–MS results revealed that the main components were oxygenated monoterpenes such as menthol (71.31%), mentone (13.34%) and isomentone (5.35%). MaEO significantly reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO), the levels of non-protein thiols and iron(II) at the concentration of 125 mg/mL in N. cinerea. Furthermore, the major components, l-(−)-Menthol and menthone demonstrated high gastrointestinal absorption and high affinity with the target protein, suggesting possible links that contribute to the analgesic effect of MaEO.