Chemical composition profile of the essential oil from hymenocrater bituminous and its health functionality

Hymenocrater species are important medicinal and food plants. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of Hymenocrater bituminous Fisch. & C. A. Mey. for the management of public health problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and skin diseases through inhibition of targeted enzymes. Essential oil composition, antioxidant activity, and the total bioactive contents of the plant were also determined. EO showed high α-glucosidase (40 mmol ACEs/g oil), α-amylase (9 mmol ACEs/g oil), acetylcholinesterase (3.8 mg GEs/g oil), butyrylcholinesterase (4.7 mg GEs/g oil), tyrosinase (45 mg KAEs/g oil), and lipase (1.5 mmol OEs/g oil) inhibitory activities. Methanolic extract exhibited strong antiradical (DPPH and ABTS) and reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP) activities and high total phenolics content (120 mg GAEs/g extract). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of EO showed the presence of α-pinene (18.2%), β-pinene (11.3%), trans-phytol (11.0%), and spathulenol (8.5%) as the major components. The results indicated that H. bituminous has promising potential for possible uses in food and pharmaceutical industries due to its valuable phytoconstituents and biological activities.