article · Chemistry & Biodiversity
Essential oils extracted from the leaves and stems of Acca sellowiana (feijoa) contain distinct bioactive compounds with notable enzyme-inhibiting properties linked to anti-ageing. Chemical analysis identified caryophyllene oxide as the main component in both leaf and stem oils, alongside linalool, spathulenol, alpha-zingiberene, and humulene oxide II. Laboratory testing showed that stem oil exhibited stronger inhibitory activity than leaf oil against key enzymes, including acetylcholinesterase, beta-secretase, elastase, tyrosinase, and collagenase. Molecular docking simulations confirmed strong binding interactions between specific oil constituents and these target enzymes. In particular, caryophyllene oxide and alpha-zingiberene demonstrated effective binding with acetylcholinesterase, while compounds such as linalool, alpha-zingiberene, and tau-cadinol showed tight interactions with skin-ageing enzymes. These findings demonstrate the potential of feijoa essential oils as natural active ingredients for anti-ageing formulations and supportive strategies against neurodegenerative progression.
Natural ingredients that address skin degradation and neurodegenerative conditions are in high demand. Demonstrating that feijoa leaves and stems yield bioactive essential oils capable of inhibiting key degradation enzymes provides a scientific foundation for developing plant-based cosmetics and preventive therapeutics against age-related cognitive decline.
This early-stage laboratory and computational research suggests potential applications in the cosmetic, dermatological, and wellness sectors. Formulators could explore feijoa stem and leaf oils as active ingredients in topical anti-ageing products or as adjuvants for Alzheimer disease prophylaxis. Because the findings are currently limited to in vitro assays and molecular modelling, extensive safety, formulation, and clinical validation would be required before commercial deployment.
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This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of essential oils isolated from Acca sellowiana (feijoa) leaves and stems and elaborate on their relevance as natural anti-aging, coupled with molecular-docking studies. The isolated oils were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and investigated for inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase, β-secretase, collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase. Molecular-modelling study was performed using MOE-Dock program to evaluate binding interactions of major components with the above-mentioned targets. The leaf oil revealed the predominance of caryophyllene oxide (24.3 %), linalool (7.9 %), and spathulenol (6.6 %), while the stem oil was presented by caryophyllene oxide (38.1 %), α-zingiberene (10.1 %) and humulene oxide II (6.0 %). The stem oil expressed superior inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (IC<sub>50</sub> =0.15±0.01 μg/mL), β-secretase (IC<sub>50</sub> =3.99±0.23 μg/mL), collagenase (IC<sub>50</sub> =408.10±20.80 μg/mL), elastase (IC<sub>50</sub> =0.17±0.01 μg/mL) and tyrosinase (IC<sub>50</sub> =8.45±0.40 μg/mL). The valuable binding interactions and docking scores were observed for caryophyllene oxide and α-zingiberene with acetylcholinesterase. Besides, α-zingibirene followed by linalool and τ-cadinol revealed tight fitting with collagenase and elastase. Additionally, linalool, spathulenol and τ-cadinol showed the best binding energy to tyrosinase. This study provides valuable scientific data on A. sellowiana as potential candidates for the development of natural antiaging formulations. The current study provided scientific evidence for the potential use of feijoa essential oils in antiaging formulations and as an adjuvant for the prophylaxis against Alzheimer disease.
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DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202200272
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