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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research article

Altitude impact on the chemical profile and biological activities of Satureja thymbra L. essential oil

Authors: Noha Khalil, Lamya El-Jalel, Miriam Yousif, Mariam Gonaid

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Several agricultural or environmental factors affect plants’ chemical and pharmacological properties.

Methods

In this study, the essential oil of Libyan Satureja thymbra was isolated from plants collected during two successive years at two different altitudes; Wasita (WEO) and Safsaf (SEO), 156 and 661 m above sea level, respectively.

Results

GC/MS allowed the identification of 21 and 23 compounds, respectively. Thymol prevailed in WEO (26.69%), while carvacrol prevailed in SEO (14.30%). Antimicrobial activity was tested by agar-well diffusion method, and MIC/MLC values were determined by broth dilution method. Values of MIC/MLC were 0.125/0.25 μg/ml for SEO against S. aureus, P. mirabilis and K. pneumonia and for WEO against B. subtilus. It was observed that plants growing at lower altitude in Wasita locality had better antifungal activity, while those growing at higher altitude at Safsaf locality had better antibacterial activity. Both essential oils had a better anthelmintic activity than the standard piperazine citrate against a tested earthworm. However, SEO oil had a significantly higher anthelmintic activity than WEO. Cytotoxicity of the oils tested using SRB assay on human breast cancer (MCF-7) and colon cancer cell lines (HCT-116) showed better activity for SEO, especially against HCT-116 with IC₅₀ 2.45 ± 0.21 μg/ml.

Conclusions

Thus, altitude is an important factor that should be considered as it affected the yield, composition and biology of the plant extracts.

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Title: Altitude impact on the chemical profile and biological activities of Satureja thymbra L. essential oil
Authors: Noha Khalil
Lamya El-Jalel
Miriam Yousif
Mariam Gonaid
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02982-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Altitude impact on the chemical profile and biological activities of Satureja thymbra L. essential oil

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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