Essential oil of Cleome coluteoides (Boiss.): phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, enzymatic inhibition, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory properties

Introduction: Plant based natural products are well known for their therapeutic potential as they are used to treat many diseases, but these plants need to be validated through the scientific study. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of the bioactive compounds present in the essential oils of the Cleome coluteoides. Methods: Different parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers, fruits, stems and roots, were used to extract the essential oils. The chemical composition of essential oils was analysed by gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Their antimicrobial properties were evaluated against several human pathogens (three fungi and four bacteria). The enzyme inhibition activity (α-amylase, tyrosinase, butyrylcholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory tests) of the essential oils was evaluated, along with, their antioxidant activity (DPPH, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) tests), xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity, antiproliferative activity (against MCF-7 and Hep-G2), anti-arthritic activity (protein denature assay), and anti-inflammatory activity. Results: Phytol, sclareol, 7-α-hydroxy manool, and piperitone were found to be the main compounds of the studied essential oils. Notable antibacterial, antifungal, enzyme inhibition, antioxidant, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, antiproliferative, anti-arthritic, and inflammatory activities were found form the essential oils. The best activity was found in the case of the essential oils made from leaves. Discussion/Conclusions: These potential biological activities along with the chemical constitutes present in the essential oils of C. coluteoides can make them potentially utilisable in different biomedical and therapeutic applications in the future. Additionally, the studied plant and their essential oils can serve as a natural remedy for a variety of lifestyle diseases.