Broad-spectrum bioactivities and therapeutic potential of essential oils of certain aromatic and medicinal plants and their combination

This research investigates the bioactive properties of essential oils obtained from three medicinal and aromatic species: Mentha canadensis, Corymbia citriodora, and Plectranthus amboinicus. The essential oils were evaluated for antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) examination identified a variety of phytochemical constituents, including thymol, citronellol, and levomenthol. Cytopathic impact studies indicated that M. canadensis and C. citriodora oils attained a maximum of 35.34% suppression of Adeno 7 virus replication. The oils exhibited minimal cytotoxicity in Vero cells, with viability exceeding 97% at concentrations of ≤ 312 µg/mL. P. amboinicus oil had the highest cytotoxicity against H1299 lung cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 11 µg/mL), indicating significant anticancer efficacy. The antidiabetic effects were evidenced by α-glucosidase inhibition, with P. amboinicus oil displaying the greatest activity (IC₅₀ = 248.1 µg/mL). The DPPH experiment demonstrated that P. amboinicus exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 5923 µg/mL). The results highlight the medicinal potential of these essential oils, including P. amboinicus for anticancer, antioxidant and antidiabetic applications, and C. citriodora and M. canadensisfor antiviral purposes. The current work serves about four goals of the sustainable development goals (SDG) as follow: SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 15: Life on Land.