Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular Docking

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> essential oil (LOEO) in neurological and pharmaceutical applications. The chemical composition of LOEO was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing major constituents, such as car...

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Main Authors: Antônio Quaresma da Silva Júnior, Gabriela dos Santos Rodrigues, Adenilson de Sousa Barroso, Pablo Luis Baia Figueiredo, Francisco Paiva Machado, Mikaela Amaral Ferreira, Caio Pinho Fernandes, Gabriela B. dos Santos, Rosa Helena V. Mourão
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1554
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author Antônio Quaresma da Silva Júnior
Gabriela dos Santos Rodrigues
Adenilson de Sousa Barroso
Pablo Luis Baia Figueiredo
Francisco Paiva Machado
Mikaela Amaral Ferreira
Caio Pinho Fernandes
Gabriela B. dos Santos
Rosa Helena V. Mourão
author_facet Antônio Quaresma da Silva Júnior
Gabriela dos Santos Rodrigues
Adenilson de Sousa Barroso
Pablo Luis Baia Figueiredo
Francisco Paiva Machado
Mikaela Amaral Ferreira
Caio Pinho Fernandes
Gabriela B. dos Santos
Rosa Helena V. Mourão
author_sort Antônio Quaresma da Silva Júnior
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the therapeutic potential of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> essential oil (LOEO) in neurological and pharmaceutical applications. The chemical composition of LOEO was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing major constituents, such as carvacrol, thymol, and γ-gurjunene, known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. LOEO demonstrated significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibitory activity, particularly in a nanoformulation that enhances bioavailability and stability. Additionally, the major constituent carvacrol, when tested in isolation, also exhibited AChE-inhibitory activity comparable to that of the nanoformulation. Molecular docking analysis indicated strong binding affinities between LOEO compounds and AChE, supporting its therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Additionally, in silico pharmacokinetic predictions revealed favorable absorption and blood–brain barrier penetration profiles for key constituents. Despite promising results, this study acknowledges the need for in vivo validation and long-term stability assessments of the nanoformulation. Future research should focus on pharmacodynamic studies and evaluating the oil’s effectiveness in animal models. These findings highlight LOEO as a valuable candidate for developing natural therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-dbbc15d8ee7d4109a09d496bdfac49192025-08-20T03:03:24ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01307155410.3390/molecules30071554Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular DockingAntônio Quaresma da Silva Júnior0Gabriela dos Santos Rodrigues1Adenilson de Sousa Barroso2Pablo Luis Baia Figueiredo3Francisco Paiva Machado4Mikaela Amaral Ferreira5Caio Pinho Fernandes6Gabriela B. dos Santos7Rosa Helena V. Mourão8Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Rede Bionorte, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, BrazilLaboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, BrazilLaboratório de Bioprospecção e Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Rede Bionorte, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, BrazilLaboratório de Tecnologia de Produtos Naturais—LTPN, Departamento de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24241-000, RJ, BrazilLaboratório de Tecnologia de Produtos Naturais—LTPN, Departamento de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24241-000, RJ, BrazilLaboratory of Phytopharmaceutical Nanobiotechnology, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá 68902-280, AP, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68035-110, PA, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia da Rede Bionorte, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém 68040-255, PA, BrazilThis study investigates the therapeutic potential of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> essential oil (LOEO) in neurological and pharmaceutical applications. The chemical composition of LOEO was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing major constituents, such as carvacrol, thymol, and γ-gurjunene, known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. LOEO demonstrated significant acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibitory activity, particularly in a nanoformulation that enhances bioavailability and stability. Additionally, the major constituent carvacrol, when tested in isolation, also exhibited AChE-inhibitory activity comparable to that of the nanoformulation. Molecular docking analysis indicated strong binding affinities between LOEO compounds and AChE, supporting its therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Additionally, in silico pharmacokinetic predictions revealed favorable absorption and blood–brain barrier penetration profiles for key constituents. Despite promising results, this study acknowledges the need for in vivo validation and long-term stability assessments of the nanoformulation. Future research should focus on pharmacodynamic studies and evaluating the oil’s effectiveness in animal models. These findings highlight LOEO as a valuable candidate for developing natural therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1554carvacrolacetylcholinesterase nanoemulsion
spellingShingle Antônio Quaresma da Silva Júnior
Gabriela dos Santos Rodrigues
Adenilson de Sousa Barroso
Pablo Luis Baia Figueiredo
Francisco Paiva Machado
Mikaela Amaral Ferreira
Caio Pinho Fernandes
Gabriela B. dos Santos
Rosa Helena V. Mourão
Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular Docking
Molecules
carvacrol
acetylcholinesterase nanoemulsion
title Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular Docking
title_full Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular Docking
title_fullStr Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular Docking
title_full_unstemmed Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular Docking
title_short Essential Oil of <i>Lippia origanoides</i> Kunth: Nanoformulation, Anticholinesterase Activity, and Molecular Docking
title_sort essential oil of i lippia origanoides i kunth nanoformulation anticholinesterase activity and molecular docking
topic carvacrol
acetylcholinesterase nanoemulsion
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1554
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