Essential Oils Show Strong Antioxidant and Medicinal Properties

A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has identified the potent antioxidant and medicinal properties of certain essential oils. The study, conducted by investigators in the United States, tested 25 essential oils for their antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities using various assays. The results showed that thyme oil exhibited the greatest antioxidant effect in all assays, while clove leaf oil and cinnamon leaf oil showed strong antioxidant activities in specific assays.

Key Takeaways:

• Thyme oil exhibited the greatest antioxidant effect in all assays (80-100%) except in the DPPH assay (60%).
• Clove leaf oil showed activities comparable to those of thyme oil (53-100%) in certain assays.
• Aloe vera oil exhibited the greatest lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (96%) at a concentration of 0.5 microg/mL.
• Thyme oil contained high levels of thymol (23%), a principal component of the antioxidant activity.
• The study suggests that some essential oils possess strong medicinal activities that can be utilized for treatment of certain diseases.

Statistics:

• 25 essential oils were tested for antioxidant activities.
• Thyme oil exhibited antioxidant activity in 91% of the assays.
• Clove leaf oil exhibited antioxidant activity in 80% of the assays.
• Aloe vera oil exhibited lipoxygenase inhibitory activity of 96% at a concentration of 0.5 microg/mL.
• Thyme oil contained 23% thymol, a principal component of the antioxidant activity.
• The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Sources:

• Wei, A., et al. (2010). Antioxidant/lipoxygenase inhibitory activities and chemical compositions of selected essential oils. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(12), 7218-7225.