Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Some Marrubium Species Essential Oil: a Review

Abstract

This paper reviews information on essential oil of Marrubium species (except M. vulgare) described until now regarding extraction, chemical composition and biological activities. Marrubium essential oils, although quantitatively poor, are rich in chemical composition. This composition consists especially of sesquiterpenoids and a little amount of monoterpenes. It varies from one species to another, sometimes within same species. Marrubium essential oils exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. However, because the lack of literature concerning essential oil of these species, further studies are necessary, particularly regarding their activities.

Keywords

• antimicrobial activity
• antioxidant activity
• chemical composition
• essential oil
• Marrubium sp