The first report of essential oil composition of Vitex agnus-castus L. growing in the Sistan region and its antibacterial activity

This study aimed to investigate the chemical compounds in the essential oil extracted from the flowering branch of Vitex agnus-castus L., grown in the Sistan region (Sistan and Baluchestan Province), and its antibacterial effects. Samples were hydrodistilled in a Clevenger–type apparatus and analyzed with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In vitex essential oil, 30 bioactive compounds were identified. The most important compounds are 1,8-Cineole (39.16%), Sabinene (8.78%), β-Myrcene (6.44%), Sclareol (4.3%), and trans-Caryophyllene (3.17%). The composition of the essential oil of Vitex agnus-castus was described for the first time from Sistan region. Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778) was the most sensitive strain against this essential oil, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ISIRI 275) was the most resistant strain. The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes confer the chemical profile of the analyzed essential oil of vitex causing antibacterial effects. Further studies are required to explain the oil mechanism of action of this species involved in antimicrobial activities