An Anisole Derivative in the Essential oil of <i>Wurfbainia schmidtii</i> with Virucidal Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Objectives: Essential oils from many plants have been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. However, essential oil of Wurfbainia schmidtii leaves has never been reported for anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, previous works on the essential oil compositions of W. schmidtii (synonyms Amomum biflorum and Amomum schmidtii ) reported varied compositions in its oils. This work aims at investigating the essential oil compositions of W. schmidtii and its anti-inflammatory activity, as well as virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods: The composition of W. schmidtii essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. A crude hexane extract of W. schmidtii was separated by chromatographic method, giving a major phenylbutanoid, trans - p -(l-butenyl)-anisole ( 1 ), whose structure was elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil and the major compound 1 was evaluated, and virucidal activity of against SARS-CoV-2 virus was assessed for compound 1 . Results: A major component in W. schmidtii essential oil was found to be trans - p -(l-butenyl)-anisole ( 1 ), accounting for 88.69%, and it exhibited virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 with EC 50 value of 119.60 μM. W. schmidtii essential oil and the major compound 1 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity with the IC 50 values of 0.0282 mg/mL and 12.74 μM, respectively. Conclusion: trans - p -(l-Butenyl)-anisole ( 1 ) was the major compound in the essential oil of W. schmidtii , and it displayed anti-inflammatory and virucidal activities. The essential oil of W. schmidtii showed anti-inflammatory activity.