Essential oil composition and biological activities determination of Mosla dianthera (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Maxim. and its major isolated component, carvone

Abstract This study was aimed to explore the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oil from aerial part of Mosla dianthera along with its major isolated compound, carvone. The hydro-distilled essential oil was analysed by GC-MS and biological activities were investigated in terms of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, herbicidal, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-feedant properties. GC-MS analysis led to the identification of forty-nine components contributing 96.2% of essential oil with carvone (41.9%) as the most abundant constituent. The oil and carvone showed good to moderate antioxidant potentials determined by radical scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activities. Carvone showed good anti-inflammatory activity (78.0%) compared to essential oil (74.2%). Both essential oil and carvone exhibited excellent herbicidal activity against Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus seeds. The essential oil and carvone showed significant anti-bacterial efficacy against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. It was observed that essential oil showed strong antifungal property than carvone against Alternaria alternata and Curvularia lunata. Both the samples exhibited anti-feedant activity in a dose dependent manner against third instar larvae of Spilosoma obliqua. Results obtained revealed the possible applications of essential oil and carvone as a bioactive source of natural antioxidants, excellent herbicide and an effective substance for antifungal and antifeedant activities.