Chemical characterization and enzyme inhibitory activity of the essential oil of Etlingera triorgyalis (Baker) R.M.Sm

Abstract

This is the first report about the chemical profile and biological properties of the essential oil of Etlingera triorgyalis (Baker) R.M.Sm from their rhizome extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GS-MS. A total of 28 constituents, representing 94.1% of the total composition, were identified. The main compounds were neral (48.5%), geranial (10.5%), α-cadinol (7.7%), methyl eugenol (6.5%), and (Z)-isocitral (4.6%). The biological potential of the oil was examined through enzyme-based assays, including acetylcho-linesterase inhibition (Ellman method), tyrosinase inhibition (mushroom tyrosinase), and lipoxygenase inhibition. The essential oil showed notable enzyme inhibition, with IC50 values of 133.2μg/mL (acetylcholinesterase), 118.5μg/mL (tyrosinase), and 128.4μg/mL (lipoxygenase). These findings suggest that the essential oil of E. triorgyalis holds promise as a multifunctional natural product with potential applications in managing neurodegenerative disorders, pigmentation issues, and inflammatory conditions.