In Vitro ACE2 and 5-LOX Enzyme Inhibition by Menthol and Three Different Mint Essential Oils

• Published in: Natural product communications Vol. 16; no. 11
• Main Authors: Demirci, Fatih, Karadağ, Ayşe Esra, Biltekin, Sevde Nur, Demirci, Betül
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-11-2021
• Subjects: ACE2; menthol; essential oil; LOX; Mentha
• ISSN: 1934-578X; 1555-9475
• DOI: 10.1177/1934578X211055014

Mentha arvensis L., M. citrata L., and M. spicata L. (family Lamiaceae) essential oils, and their characteristic constituent, menthol, were evaluated in vitro for angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme inhibitory activity. The chemical compositions of M. arvensis, M. citrata, and M. spicata essential oils were analysed both by GC-FID, and GC/MS; 82.0%, 38.1%, and 0.4% menthol were identified, respectively. M. spicata essential oil contained 88.2% carvone as its major component.
The enzyme inhibitory activities of the essential oils were evaluated using a fluorometric multiplate based enzyme inhibition kit; the ACE2 inhibitions produced by M. arvensis, M. citrata, and M. spicata essential oils were 33%, 22%, and 73%, while the 5-LOX inhibitions were 84%, 79%, and 70%, respectively. In addition, menthol also showed remarkable ACE2 inhibition of 99.8%, whereas the 5-LOX inhibition was 79.9%. As a result, menthol and the three different mint essential oils may have antiviral potential applications against coronaviruses due to their ACE2 enzyme inhibition and anti-inflammatory features. However, further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy.