Biological activities of essential oil and methanolic extract of endemic Dorytoechas hastata Boiss et Heldr. ex Bentham (Lamiaceae) from Turkey

Abstract

Extracts and essential oils from plant sources have always been a subject of interest to scientists for their biological activities and application in food, pharmacy and cosmetic industries. Here, we have explored the essential oil compositions and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil as well as the methanolic extract of Chalba tea, Dorystoechas hastata Boiss et Heldr. ex Bentham (Lamiaceae). Essential oil was isolated from the aerial parts by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main compounds were determined as eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) (25.47%) and borneol (20.06%). Phosphomolybdenum, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, β-carotene bleaching activity, ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP), reducing power and cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays were utilized to determine the antioxidant activity. D. hastata methanolic extract showed an effective total antioxidant, DPPH scavenging, cupric ions (Cu2+) and ferric ions (Fe3+) reducing activities. Essential oil and methanolic extract were evaluated for antimicrobial activity by the agar diffusion assay against 15 microorganisms. Methanol extract exerted antibacterial effect against all of the bacteria tested. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most sensitive bacteria to extract while Aeromonas hydrophila was the most sensitive bacteria to essential oil. According to present results, D. hastata may be potential natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.