Essential Oils of Argyreia capitiformis (Poir.) Ooststr. and Argyreia nasirii D.F. Austin: Chemical Analysis and Biological Activities

ABSTRACT A pharmacological survey of Argyreia species in Vietnam was conducted to investigate their chemical constituents and biological activities. Here, we report for the first time the essential oil (EO) composition and bioactivity of Argyreia capitiformis and Argyreia nasirii . GC‐MS analysis showed marked interspecific variation. The oil of A. capitiformis was rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, mainly (E)‐caryophyllene (38.580%), aromandendrene (11.595%), humulene (7.312%), α‐copaene (6.360%), and bicyclogermacrene (5.380%). In contrast, A. nasirii oil was dominated by oxygenated sesquiterpenes, especially caryophyllene oxide (34.432%), longiverbenone (9.291%), aromadendrene oxide‐(2) (8.284%), and β‐copaen‐4‐ol (6.574%). Biologically, A. capitiformis oil showed cytotoxicity against MCF7, SK‐LU‐1, and HepG2 cells, with IC 50 values of 33.76–57.61 µg/mL, while A. nasirii oil inhibited NO production in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC 50 = 87.91 ± 4.87 µg/mL). These findings highlight distinct chemical profiles and pharmacological potential in both species.