Chemical and biological investigation of essential oil obtained from cultured Mentha spicata species

Aim: Historically, plants have been used as a vital resource to meet human needs for shelter, fuel and food. In this study, it was aimed to determine the chemical constituents, antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation method of Mentha spicata L. species cultivated between 2020-2022. Material and Method: The chemical constituents of the essential oil of the studied species were determined by GC-MS technique. Free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), cation radical scavenging activity (ABTS) and copper (II) ion reducing capacity (CUPRAC) antioxidant test methods and anticholinesterase, anti-aging, urease and tyrosinase enzyme inhibition activities were used to determine the biological activities of the essential oil. Results: When the GC-MS/FID results of the essential oil of M. spicata species according to years (2020-22) were analyzed, the major components were determined as carvone (46.92%, 42.16% and 48.77%, respectively), limonene (18.45%, 16.99% and 18.68%). The essential oil of M. spicata species did not show antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase and urease enzyme inhibition activities. The essential oils of the studied M. spicata species in 2022 showed moderate (%inhibition: 31.50±0.54 and 9.31±0.03, respectively) inhibition activity in butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and elastase test methods. In collagenase enzyme inhibition, it was determined that the essential oil of M. spicata species obtained in 2021 showed moderate activity (%inhibition 14.48±0.16). Conclusion: It was determined that the essential oil contents of the species obtained in different years did not change and in this sense, it can be said that there is an economic potential for the essential oil of the species in the region. Various medicinal properties of M. spicata species, its use in food and folk uses, especially its use in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical preparations have become increasingly important and have been the subject of studies with the increasing interest in M. spicata species. In this context, it is obvious that the results of this thesis will contribute to this field.