Tyrosinase, Elastase, Lipoxygenase Inhibition Activities and chemical composition of essential oils from Menthaspicata, Thymus vulgaris, Citrus aurantium and Juniperusphoenica from Tunisia

Essential oils from four aromatic plants growing in Tunisia (Mentha spicata, Thymus vulgaris, Citrus aurantium and Juniperus phoenica) were examined for their chemical composition and inhibitory properties against tyrosinase, lipoxygenase and elastase. These biological activities would make these aromatic plants as a valuable source for natural products useful in the cosmetic industry. Chemical composition was determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The main identified constituents were pulegone (60.88%) in M. spicata, camphor (39.10%) in Thymus, artemisia ketone (20.09%) in C. aurantium and linalool (36.73%) in J. phoenica. Essential oils from J. phoenica and Thymus vulgaris exhibited a strong elastase inhibitory activity (IP = 80.43% and 45.56% respectively). Thymus vulgaris essential oil showed the greatest lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (IP = 100%), followed by J. phoenica (IP = 32.84%). Results from the present study suggested that essential oils extracted from J. phoenica and T. vulgaris endowed with potent anti-elatase, anti-lipoxygenase and anti-tyrosinase proprieties may be potential candidates as ingredients in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.