biostudies-literatureUnknown10Fraternale DIn the present study, <i>Monarda didyma</i> L. essential oil (isolated from the flowering aerial parts of the plant) was examined to characterize its chemotype and to evaluate, in addition to the quali-quantitative chemical analysis, the associated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The plants were grown in central Italy, Urbino (PU), Marche region. Different analyses (TLC, GC-FID, GC-MS and ¹H-NMR) allowed the identification of twenty compounds among which carvacrol, p-cymene and thymol were the most abundant. On this basis, the chemotype examined in the present study was indicated as <i>Monarda didyma</i> ct. carvacrol. The antioxidant effect was assessed by DPPH assay. Moreover, this chemotype was investigated for the anti-inflammatory effect in an <i>in vitro</i> setting (<i>i.e</i>., LPS-stimulated U937 cells). The decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the increased expression of miR-146a are suggestive of the involvement of the Toll-like receptor-4 signaling pathway. Although further studies are needed to better investigate the action mechanism/s underlying the results observed in the experimental setting, our findings show that <i>M. didyma</i> essential oil is rich in bioactive compounds (mainly aromatic monoterpenes and phenolic monoterpenes) which are most likely responsible for its beneficial effect.PeerJe14433https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9686412biostudies-literatureChemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of <i>Monarda didyma</i> L. essential oil.PMC9686412Fraternale DMelandri DAlbertini MCD'Adderio RDufat HBouzidi CDi Giacomo BRamakrishna SColomba MCoppari SfalseChemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of <i>Monarda didyma</i> L. essential oil.In the present study, <i>Monarda didyma</i> L. essential oil (isolated from the flowering aerial parts of the plant) was examined to characterize its chemotype and to evaluate, in addition to the quali-quantitative chemical analysis, the associated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The plants were grown in central Italy, Urbino (PU), Marche region. Different analyses (TLC, GC-FID, GC-MS and ¹H-NMR) allowed the identification of twenty compounds among which carvacrol, p-cymene and thymol were the most abundant. On this basis, the chemotype examined in the present study was indicated as <i>Monarda didyma</i> ct. carvacrol. The antioxidant effect was assessed by DPPH assay. Moreover, this chemotype was investigated for the anti-inflammatory effect in an <i>in vitro</i> setting (<i>i.e</i>., LPS-stimulated U937 cells). The decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the increased expression of miR-146a are suggestive of the involvement of the Toll-like receptor-4 signaling pathway. Although further studies are needed to better investigate the action mechanism/s underlying the results observed in the experimental setting, our findings show that <i>M. didyma</i> essential oil is rich in bioactive compounds (mainly aromatic monoterpenes and phenolic monoterpenes) which are most likely responsible for its beneficial effect.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-04T19:51:12.593Z2025-04-04T19:51:12.593ZS-EPMC96864123643858010.7717/peerj.14433