Assessment of Thermal Behaviour, Physiochemical Characteristics and Bioactive Potentials of Jasminum sambac Essential Oil

Abstract

Essential oils (EO) are intriguing natural compounds produced from aromatic plants, playing a significant role in the ancient pharmacopoeia. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in using several essential oils as alternative antibacterial and medicinal agents. One of such essential oils is derived from Jasminum sambac which is well known for its aroma and has various therapeutic benefits. It opens a door to alternative medicine for chronic conditions where commercially available treatments are of no benefit. This study is focused on determining the presence of various functional and bioactive components present in the essential oil and assessing its thermal stability, along with which behavior of biological agents was also monitored in presence of the oil. The Jasminum sambac essential oil was extracted using the hydro-distillation method, and its chemical makeup was ascertained using High performance thin layer liquid chromatography (HPTLC). The functional groups present in the essential oil were also identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The essential oil was thermally characterized using Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis. The essential oil's anti-inflammatory potential was also evaluated. The antibacterial and antibiofilm ability of the essential oil was determined against various drug-resistant microbes and biofilm forming pathogens, respectively. Additionally, the percentage viability of CHO and HEK293 cell lines were evaluated in presence of the essential oil by employing the MTT assay. High performance thin layer liquid chromatography revealed 7 distinct bands which can be correlated to the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenes, quinones, steroids, and alkaloids. Thermal stability was achieved by the essential oil when exposed to high temperatures during Thermogravimetric and Differential scanning calorimetric analysis. Different functional components were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Reliable antimicrobial, antibiofilm and anti-inflammatory activities were also recorded. Further, the percentage viability in presence of the essential oil was also determined which can be directly correlated with its cytotoxicity. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the Jasminum sambac essential oil has immense healing potential and can be employed as an alternative therapeutic agent.