<i>Elwendia persica</i> (Boiss.) Pimenov &amp; Kljuykov from Indian Western Himalaya: impact of geographical locations on essential oil yield, chemical diversity, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activities

The present study investigated the effect of different geographical locations on the seeds of <i>Elwendia persica</i> (Boiss.) Pimenov & Kljuykov essential oil (EO) yield, chemical profile and their anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic potentials . The samples collected from three locations in Lahaul and Spiti regions, <i>viz</i>. Tindi (AC-209), Udaipur (AC-207) and Gondhala (AC-208) showed highest EO yields, 9.1%, 8.4%, and 8.7%, respectively. . GC analysis revealed <i>p</i>-cymene, <i>γ</i>-terpinene, cumin aldehyde, and <i>γ</i>-terpinen-7-al as major constituents with AC-208 having the highest content of <i>p</i>-cymene (49.33%) and cumin aldehyde (41.33%). All samples showed significant inhibition (6h) against <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> MTCC121, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> MTCC96, <i>Salmonella typhimurium</i> MTCC733, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> MTCC43, with AC-203 showing the highest inhibition (≥98.8%) against all bacterial strains. <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibition assay revealed significant inhibition by all samples (IC₅₀ 0.50-0.88 mg/mL) compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ 0.29 mg/mL). Most of the samples showed moderate activity against DPPH radical inhibition. However, AC-203, -207 and -208 showed comparatively good activity against ABTS radicals with IC₅₀ ≤ 0.55 mg/mL. This study highlights the use of <i>E. persica</i> from the Indian western Himalayas as an effective anti-bacterial and anti-diabetic agent along with potential anti-oxidant activity and lays the groundwork for developing its superior varieties.