Zhu_2025_Biomolecules_15_

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), alpha-glucosidase, and beta-lactamase of its essential oil (EO). The major constituents of the EO were identified as germacrene D (16.29%), falcarinol (11.02%), beta-caryophyllene (9.43%), alpha-zingiberene (7.93%), phytol (6.06%), and alpha-humulene (4.04%). The EO demonstrated radical scavenging activity against DPPH (44.9% at 5 mg/mL) and ABTS (IC(50) = 0.72 +/- 0.02 mg/mL) radicals, with a FRAP antioxidant capacity of 126.61 +/- 0.59 micromol.g(-1). Additionally, the EO exhibited modest AChE inhibition (16.7% at 250 microg/mL) and significant inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and beta-lactamase, with IC(50) values of 178.80 +/- 17.02 microg/mL and 40.06 +/- 8.22 microg/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.