Journal of Environmental Biology

Chemical composition, biological activities and cytotoxic effects of volatile oils extracted from leaves and rhizomes of Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Sm. as a potential plant for industrial value      

R. Loying², R. Gogoi^1,2 and M. Lal^1,2,* 

¹AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad-201 002, India

²Medicianal Aromatic and Economic Plants Group, Biological Science and Technology Division, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat-785 006, India

*Corresponding Author Email : drmohanlal80@gmail.com

Received: 13.06.2020                                                                   Revised: 15.11.2020                                                    Accepted: 15.12.2020

Abstract

Aim: In the present study, chemical compounds of essential oil of Etlingera elatior leaf and rhizome and its biochemical assays were evaluated to find its potential pharmaceutical, industrial applications.

Methodology: GC/MS analysis was carried out using HP-5MS column. Antioxidant (DPPH, reducing power assay), anti-inflammatory (protein denaturation, protease inhibitor assay) and cytotoxic activities (Allium cepa assay) were also performed for its biochemical efficacy.

Results: The major compounds present in essential oil of E. elatior were estragole (68%), methyl eugenol (13.32%) in rhizome and β-thujene (26.89%), α-pinene (17.08%) in leaf. Biochemical activity of essential oil showed free radical scavenging activities in DPPH assay; rhizome (IC₅₀= 35.83 µg ml^-1) and leaf (IC₅₀= 23.07 µg ml^-1). Essential oil also showed strong anti-inflammatory activity in rhizome (IC₅₀= 151.35 µg ml^-1) and leaf (IC₅₀= 98.66 µg ml^-1), in protein denaturation assay. No cytotoxic effects were observed by E. elatior essential oils in the root growth of onion and mitotic index (rhizome 22.99% and leaf 19.54%).      

Interpretation: The presence of major compounds like estragole, methyl eugenol as well as its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic activities revealed potential pharmaceutical, fragrances, confectionery, food industrial applications of Etlingera elatior essential oils with added advantage of no cytotoxic effects.      

Key words: Antioxidants, cytotoxic, essential oil, estragole, Etlingera elatior

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