# Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Artemisia schmidtiana Maxim. Essential Oil

## TL;DR

This study analyzes the chemical makeup and health benefits of Artemisia schmidtiana essential oil, showing it has antioxidant properties and can inhibit certain enzymes.

## Contribution

The study identifies key compounds in Artemisia schmidtiana essential oil and evaluates its antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects for potential pharmaceutical use.

## Key findings

- The essential oil contains germacrene D, falcarinol, and β-caryophyllene as major constituents.
- The oil showed significant inhibition of α-glucosidase and β-lactamase enzymes.
- Molecular docking confirmed interactions between the oil's compounds and target enzymes.

## Abstract

Artemisia schmidtiana Maxim., a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, is renowned for its extensive ethnomedicinal applications and distinctive aromatic qualities. This study evaluated the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-glucosidase, and β-lactamase of its essential oil (EO). The major constituents of the EO were identified as germacrene D (16.29%), falcarinol (11.02%), β-caryophyllene (9.43%), α-zingiberene (7.93%), phytol (6.06%), and α-humulene (4.04%). The EO demonstrated radical scavenging activity against DPPH (44.9% at 5 mg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 0.72 ± 0.02 mg/mL) radicals, with a FRAP antioxidant capacity of 126.61 ± 0.59 μmol·g−1. Additionally, the EO exhibited modest AChE inhibition (16.7% at 250 μg/mL) and significant inhibition of α-glucosidase and β-lactamase, with IC50 values of 178.80 ± 17.02 μg/mL and 40.06 ± 8.22 μg/mL, respectively. Molecular docking revealed favorable interactions between the major EO compounds and the tested enzymes, providing a theoretical foundation for future drug development. These findings suggest that A. schmidtiana EO holds potential for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, warranting further investigation.