Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from the medicinal plant Mentha cervina L. grown in Portugal

Mentha cervina is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Portugal in folk medicine, in different gastric disorders and inflammations of the respiratory tract. In order to validate those traditional uses, M. cervina essential oils (EOs) were characterized by GC and GC–MS and their antimicrobial activity was tested against 23 bacterial strains (including multiresistant strains). The EOs were dominated by the monoterpenes pulegone (52–75%), isomenthone (8–24%), limonene (4–6%), and menthone (1–2%). The antibacterial activity of these EOs was compared to that of the main components standards. The most effective antibacterial activity was expressed by the EOs against the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumanni, with MIC values of 1 mg/ml. The EOs complex mixtures were more active than the individual aromatic components supporting the hypothesis that the EOs antibacterial activity is a function of the synergistic effect of their different aromatic components. These results show the potential role of M. cervina EOs as antibacterial agents and validate the traditional use of this plant

Phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils and organic extracts from <it>pelargonium graveolens</it> growing in Tunisia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Pelargonium graveolens</it> (<it>P. graveolens</it>) L. is an aromatic and medicinal plant belonging to the <it>geraniacea</it> family.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The chemical compositions of the essential oil as well as the <it>in vitro</it> antimicrobial activities were investigated. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil revealed 42 compounds. Linallol L, Citronellol, Geraniol, 6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl, formate and Selinene were identified as the major components. The tested oil and organic extracts exhibited a promising antimicrobial effect against a panel of microorganisms with diameter inhibition zones ranging from 12 to 34 mm and MIC_s values from 0.039 to10 mg/ml. The investigation of the phenolic content showed that EtOAc, MeOH and water extracts had the highest phenolic contents.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, results presented here suggest that the essential oil and organic extracts of <it>P. graveolens</it> possesses antimicrobial and properties, and is therefore a potential source of active ingredients for food and pharmaceutical industry.</p