Exploring the Chemical Makeup and Health Benefits of Wild Mint Essential Oil

Jenn Hoskins
2nd August, 2024

Exploring the Chemical Makeup and Health Benefits of Wild Mint Essential Oil

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran, studied essential oils from three ecotypes of Mentha longifolia in Lorestan province
  • Essential oils from all ecotypes showed consistent antibacterial activity against plant pathogens
  • Essential oil from ecotype 3 significantly reduced the viability of colon tumor cells
The study conducted by researchers at Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran, explored the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils derived from three ecotypes of Mentha longifolia collected from different habitats in Lorestan province, Iran[1]. This research aimed to evaluate the essential oils' effects against plant pathogenic bacteria and their potential to reduce the viability of colon tumor cells (SW742). Mentha longifolia, a member of the mint family, is known for its various pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial and anti-tumor activities[2]. The researchers selected three ecotypes from Khorramabad (ecotype 1), Aleshtar (ecotype 2), and Delfan (ecotype 3) counties. They analyzed the essential oils' chemical composition and tested their effects on the plant pathogens Erwinia amylovora and Pseudomonas syringae, as well as Bacillus subtilis, a biocontrol agent. Additionally, they assessed the essential oils' impact on the viability of SW742 colon tumor cells. The study revealed that ecotype 1 had the highest concentration of essential oil among the three ecotypes. Interestingly, all three bacteria showed similar sensitivity levels to the essential oils from the different ecotypes of M. longifolia. This suggests that the antimicrobial properties of M. longifolia are consistent across different habitats, making it a reliable source of natural antibacterial agents. Previous studies have shown that essential oils possess significant antibacterial properties. For instance, essential oils from Citrus sinensis and Cinnamomum zeylanicum demonstrated inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae[3]. The current study's findings align with these earlier results, further supporting the potential of essential oils as effective antibacterial agents. Moreover, the study evaluated the essential oils' effects on SW742 colon tumor cell viability. The results indicated that the essential oil obtained from ecotype 3 was particularly effective in reducing the viability of these tumor cells. This finding is consistent with earlier research that highlighted the antiproliferative effects of Mentha longifolia crude extract on adrenocortical tumor cell models[2]. The current study expands on this knowledge by demonstrating the essential oil's potential against colon tumor cells. The researchers employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze the chemical composition of the essential oils. This method allows for the identification and quantification of various compounds within the oils, providing insights into their bioactive components. The study's results suggest that the essential oils' antimicrobial and anticancer properties may be attributed to these specific compounds. In conclusion, the study conducted by Payame Noor University highlights the antimicrobial and anticancer potential of essential oils derived from different ecotypes of Mentha longifolia. The consistent antibacterial activity across different ecotypes and the significant reduction in colon tumor cell viability by ecotype 3 essential oil underscore the therapeutic potential of M. longifolia. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of essential oils as natural, effective alternatives to conventional antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

HerbsMedicineBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Determining of chemical composition, anti-pathogenic and anticancer activity of Mentha longifolia essential oil collected from Iran.

Published 31st July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2024.2381650

Related Studies

2) Anticancer Effects of Wild Mountain Mentha longifolia Extract in Adrenocortical Tumor Cell Models.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01647

3) Surveying the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from selected medicinal plants against human pathogens.

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v12i6.5032


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