Volatile constituents of essential oils isolated from flowers and leaves of M.officinalis L.

Abstract

Volatile components of leaves of Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae family) from Iran were investigated. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation from leaves of Melissa officinalis. Twenty-one constituents in the leaves oil were identified. Major constituents of the leaves oil were: trans-b-ocimene (4.5%), citronellal (3.21%), cadinol isomer (3.45%), neral (4.32%), geranial (8%), bcaryophyllene (16%), b-cubebene (10.21), calarene (4.32%), b-cadinene (4%), sesquiterpene alcohol (10.43%) and a-cadinol(9.05%). However, there were significant differences among the rates of those reported components. In conclusion, it is worthwhile to screen the commonly used plants from the local flora for different biological activities because they might present a new alternative source for possible bioactive substances.