Biological Properties and Bioactive Components ofMentha spicataL. Essential Oil: Focus on Potential Benefits in the Treatment of Obesity, Alzheimer’s Disease, Dermatophytosis, and Drug-Resistant Infections

Abstract

In the present study, the medicinal aromatic plantMentha spicatahas been investigated as a source of essential oil (EO) and pharmaceuticals. The quantity and composition of EO fromM. spicatacultivated in Palestine were analyzed seasonally over a three-year period. A significantly higher EO content was produced in summer and fall months (2.54–2.79%). Chemical analysis of EO revealed 31 compounds with oxygenated monoterpenes (90%) as the most abundant components followed by sesquiterpene and monoterpene hydrocarbons (6 and 3%, respectively).M spicatacan be characterized as a carvone chemotype (65%). EO and carvone have shown strong inhibitory activities against the principal enzymes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and overweight diseases (cholinesterase and porcine pancreatic lipase) and also shown strong antidermatophytic activity againstMicrosporum canis,Trichophyton rubrum,T. mentagrophytes, andEpidermophyton floccosum. The pancreatic lipase inhibition and the synergism showed the potential activity ofM. spicataEO and carvone and that their combinations with standard drugs can be useful for the treatment of obesity and overweight. The results also demonstrated that, in addition to their significant inhibitory activity against biofilm formation of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA),M. spicataEO and carvone had a strong inhibitory effect on metabolic activity and biomass of the preformed biofilm. The current study supports the utilization ofM. spicataEO as a traditional medicine and opens perceptions to find more potent substances in the EO for the management of obesity, AD, and dermatophytosis and for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections.