Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil and Phenolic Compounds of the Aerial Part of Lophanthus schtschurovskianus

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) and phenolic compounds from the aerial part of Lophanthus schtschurowskianus, as well as to assess their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Methods: The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation from the dried aerial parts of the plant. The chemical composition was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the EO and plant extracts were evaluated using the modified agar diffusion method. Results and Discussion: GC-MS analysis identified 57 components in the EO, with 1,8-cineole (13.4%) and viridiflorol (8.5%) being the predominant compounds. The EO exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the EO compared to other extracts. Additionally, three phenolic compounds—caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and luteolin—were isolated from the 75% alcoholic extract of the plant. Conclusions: The essential oil of Lophanthus schtschurowskianus contains bioactive compounds such as 1,8-cineole, which demonstrates notable antimicrobial effects. The plant’s extracts, particularly the essential oil, show potential for use in the treatment of infections, and the isolated phenolic compounds exhibit promising pharmacological properties.