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Planta Med 2003; 69(3): 282-284
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-38487
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Satureja parnassica subsp. parnassica

Olga Tzakou1 , Helen Skaltsa1
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Publication History

Received: July 29, 2002

Accepted: November 23, 2002

Publication Date:
04 April 2003 (online)

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Abstract

The essential oils of Satureja parnassica subsp. parnassica (samples A and B), were analyzed by means of GC/MS. From the fifty-seven identified constituents representing 98.5 % and 99.35 % of the oils respectively, (E)-caryophyllene, carvacrol and caryophyllene oxide were the major components of sample A (flowering stage), whereas in sample B (vegetative stage) major components were spathulenol, p-cymene and linalool. The oils were tested against Helicobacter pylori (HP), as well as against six aerobically growing bacteria. Both samples showed a moderate activity against Gram-positive bacteria; sample A oil showed greater anti-HP activity than sample B.

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Olga Tzakou

University of Athens, School of Pharmacy

Department of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products

Panepistimiopolis

Zografou

15771 Athens

Greece

Email: tzakou@pharm.uoa.gr

Fax: +32-1-072-74591