SDE-prepared Oil Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potentials of Varthemia persica DC.

Varthemia persica DC. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic plant which is used as anti-spasmodic, anti-emetic and for some kidney conditions. In the present study the plant aerial parts from Ghamsar (GS) and Ghohrud (GR) regions (Kashan, Iran) were investigated for SDE (Simultaneous distillation and solvent extraction) prepared oil composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The oils were analyzed using GC and GC-MS. The plant oils and total methanol extracts were subjected to antioxidant evaluation in DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays and antibacterial screening using disk diffusion and micro-well dilution methods. A total of 46 compounds were identified, of which α-pinene was characterized as the main compound in both GS (37.6%) and GR (53.8%) oil samples. Total extracts demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity in DPPH (RC50; 79.2 ± 2.9 μg/ml for GS and 73.9 ± 3.4 μg/ml for GR samples) and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays (Inhibition percentage; 69.6 ± 2.4 % for GS and 70.2 ± 3.6 % for GR samples). Extracts and volatile oils exhibited considerable antibacterial activity especially against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The results of study report SDE-prepared oil of V. persica as a source of α-pinene. Favorable antioxidant and antibcterial activity of this plant also highlight it as an apropriate candidate to determination of its bioactive compounds.