title: Oregano: chemical analysis and evaluation of its antimalarial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities.
abstract: GC-FID and GC-MS analysis of essential oil from oregano leaves (Origanum compactum) resulted in the identification of 46 compounds, representing more than 98% of the total composition. Carvacrol was the predominant compound (36.46%), followed by thymol (29.74%) and p-cymene (24.31%). Serial extractions with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water were performed on aerials parts of Origanum compactum. In these extracts, different chemical families were characterized: polyphenols (gallic acid equivalent 21.2 to 858.3 g/kg), tannins (catechin equivalent 12.4 to 510.3 g/kg), anthocyanins (cyanidin equivalent 0.38 to 5.63 mg/kg), and flavonoids (quercetin equivalent 14.5 to 54.7 g/kg). The samples (essential oil and extracts) were subjected to a screening for antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS assays) and antimalarial activities and against human breast cancer cells. The essential oil showed a higher antioxidant activity with an IC50=2±0.1 mg/L. Among the extracts, the aqueous extract had the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50=4.8±0.2 mg/L (DPPH assay). Concerning antimalarial activity, Origanum compactum essential oil and ethyl acetate extract showed the best results with an IC50 of 34 and 33 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, ethyl acetate extract (30 mg/L) and ethanol extract (56 mg/L) showed activity against human breast cancer cells (MCF7). The oregano essential oil was considered to be nontoxic.
authors.affiliation: Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques de Toulouse, Laboratoire de Botanique-Mycologie, 35 ch. des Maraîchers, F- 31062 Toulouse, France. elbabili@cict.fr
authors.forename: Fatiha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: El Babili
authors.forename: Jalloul
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bouajila
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Souchard
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellvert
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fouraste
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moulis
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valentin
mesh_terms: D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D055808:Drug Discovery; D005260:Female; D005410:Flame Ionization; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D009018:Morocco; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D031341:Origanum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects; D059808:Polyphenols; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013634:Tannins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000962:Antimalarials; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D012997:Solvents; D013634:Tannins