Carikci_2026_Molecules_31_

This study investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) and the phenolic profiles of methanol extracts from Satureja boissieri Hausskn. ex Boiss. EO analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified carvacrol (45.2%), cymene (26.0%) and gamma-terpinene (17.5%) as the primary constituents. Phenolic profiles were quantified via Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS), revealing syringic acid (56,647.96 mg/kg extract), rosmarinic acid (47,777.98 mg/kg extract) and hesperidin (6353.49 mg/kg extract) as major components in the extract. The antioxidant potential was evaluated through three distinct radical scavenging assays (DPPH, ABTS and DMPD) and the determination of ferric (Fe(3+)) and cupric (Cu(2+)) reducing capacities. Notably, S. boissieri exhibited potent antioxidant activity, with IC(50) values of 11.74 microg/mL for DPPH and 9.90 microg/mL for ABTS radical scavenging, demonstrating performance comparable to standard antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol (11.31 and 8.37 microg/mL, respectively). Furthermore, the in vitro inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes were evaluated. While both extracts exhibited similar and significant AChE inhibition (35.3% and 32.4%, respectively), the essential oil was notably more potent against BChE than the methanol extract. These findings suggest that S. boissieri is a significant source of bioactive compounds with promising antioxidant and neuroprotective potential for pharmaceutical applications.