Biological Potential of Tsuga canadensis: A Study on Seed, Cone Essential Oils, and Seed Lipophilic Extract
Source abstract
Abstract
This study investigates the essential oil (EO) isolated from the seeds and cones of Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), highlighting notable differences in their chemical composition and biological activities. The seed EO was uniquely dominated by oxygenated derivatives of monoterpene hydrocarbons, particularly bornyl acetate (40%), whereas the cone EO exhibited higher levels of monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene (23%), β-pinene (20%), and myrcene (23%). A significant finding was the strong cytotoxic activity of cone EO against melanoma cell lines, with IC50 values as low as 0.104 ± 0.015 μL/mL, compared to the minimal effects of seed EO. Additionally, cone EO demonstrated stronger antimicrobial activity, with lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, further highlighting its therapeutic potential. Lipophilic extracts from seeds were characterized by unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, and sciadonic acids—specific to conifers) and bioactive molecules with high antioxidant and nutritional potential, such as β-tocopherol, β-sitosterol, and campestrol. These findings underscore the unique chemical composition of T. canadensis seed EO and its lipophilic extract, along with the potent cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of cone EO, offering insights into their potential applications in natural products for pharmaceutical and therapeutic uses.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity · Natural product bioactivities and synthesis · Phytochemistry and Biological Activities
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Institute of Natural Products and Cosmetics, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego Street 2/22, 90-537 Łódź, Poland
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza Street 2D, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
Department of Diagnostic Immunology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich Street 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
Arboretum—Rogów Forestry Experimental Station, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 95-063 Rogów, Poland
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