The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of the commercially available essential oils of Mentha spicata (spearmint) and Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) on Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 biofilms in vitro, emulating dental plaque conditions. The composition of the essential oils (EOs) was determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), with the main metabolites being Carvone (57.93%) and Limonene (12.91%) for Mentha spicata and 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol) (65.83%) for Eucalyptus globulus. The inhibitory activity was evaluated using the methods of agar-well diffusion and colorimetric microdilution. The inhibition halos were 18.3 ± 0.47 mm and 27.0 ± 0.82 mm, and the MICs were 1.8484 mg/mL and 1.9168 mg/mL for the EOs of Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus globulus, respectively. The activity against the biofilms was evaluated on a substrate of bovine enamel pieces using a basal mucin medium (BMM) in anaerobic conditions with daily sucrose exposition cycles in order to emulate oral cavity conditions. The EOs were applied in a concentration of 0.5% in a sterile saline vehicle with 1% polysorbate 20. After 72 h of cultivation, a significant reduction was observed (p < 0.001%) on the biofilm biomass, which was evaluated by its turbidity in suspension and using a count of the recoverable organisms with regards to the control. The effects of the Eos were not significantly distinct from each other. The EOs showed antimicrobial activity against both the Streptococcus mutans planktonic and biofilm cultures. Thus, EOs may have great potential for the development of pharmaceutical and sanitary products for oral health.

The aim of this study was to determine the volatile phytochemical constituents and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of the leaves from Croton adipatus, Croton thurifer, and Croton collinus. Essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation using the Clevenger extractor and the phytochemical analysis was determined by Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar diffusion and colorimetric broth microdilution methods against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, and Candida albicans ATCC The essential oils from C. adipatus, C. thurifer, and C collinus had 46, 38, and 35 volatile constituents respectively. The main compounds determined in C. adipatus were β-myrcene (18.34%), while in C. collinus was β-caryophyllene (44.7%), and in C. thurifer was an unknown component (C₁₀H₁₆: 22.38%). Essential oil of C. adipatus showed a MIC against B. subtilis (286.4 µg/mL) and C. albicans (572.8 ± 0 µg/mL); C. thurifer against S. aureus (296.1 ± 0 µg/mL) and B. subtilis (148 ± 0 µg/mL); and C. collinus against B. subtilis (72 ± 0 µg/mL) and C. albicans (576.2 ± 0 µg/mL). The three essential oils of Croton species demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against a strain of bacteria or fungi.

Background and Aim: Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) has long been valued for its culinary and medicinal uses. C. sativum essential oil (CsEO), particularly linalool-rich chemotypes, exhibits diverse biological activities; however, integrated evalu­ations encompassing neurological, inflammatory, and molecular targets remain limited. This study aimed to chemically characterize Peruvian CsEO and assess its anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, alongside those of pure linalool, while elucidating potential mechanisms through cytokine modulation and molecular docking of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. Materials and Methods: CsEO was extracted from Peruvian coriander seeds through steam distillation and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was quantified using the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz­thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. Anticonvulsant effects were tested in BALB/c mice using the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure model, analgesic activity through the acetic acid-induced writhing test, and anti-inflammatory effects in Holtzman rats using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Molecular docking evaluated linalool’s binding affinity to COX-1 and COX-2 relative to standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Results: GC-MS identified linalool as the major constituent (59.80%), alongside α-pinene (8.65%), camphor (8.48%), and γ-terpinene (7.09%). CsEO demonstrated potent antioxidant activity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 32.04 μg/mL), exceeding that of linalool alone (IC50 = 152.29 μg/mL). Significant anticonvulsant effects occurred at 200 mg/kg for both CsEO and linalool, increasing seizure latency by up to 87.20% and reducing seizure frequency by ~43%. In analgesic assays, linalool (200 mg/kg) achieved a 93.80% writhing reduction, comparable to tramadol, while CsEO showed strong but slightly lower efficacy. CsEO (200 mg/kg) inhibited carrageenan-induced edema by 51.35% at 4 h, reduced IL-1β by 49.8%, and IL-6 by 26.5%, effects comparable to ibuprofen. Docking revealed moderate linalool affinity for COX-1 (−5.70 kcal/mol) and COX-2 (−6.10 kcal/mol), sharing key hydrophobic interactions with reference drugs. Conclusion: Peruvian CsEO, characterized by a distinctive linalool-rich chemotype, exhibits significant multi-target pharma­cological activities, with synergistic contributions from minor constituents enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Its integrated efficacy profile and favorable safety indicators highlight CsEO as a promising phytotherapeutic candi­date for managing seizures, pain, and inflammation. Further studies should explore chronic models, pharmacokinetics, and formulation strategies to optimize clinical applicability. Keywords: analgesic, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Coriandrum sativum, cytokines, essential oil, linalool, molecular docking.

Las aplicaciones de aceites esenciales que actúan como agentes antimicrobianos se estudian con frecuenciaLas aplicaciones de aceites esenciales que actúan como agentes antimicrobianos se estudian con frecuencia por su capacidad para proteger alimentos contra microorganismos patógenos. Se determinó la actividad antibacteriana mediante la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI), de los aceites esenciales de Minthostachys mollis Griseb. “muña” y Piper carpunya Ruíz & Pav. “pinku”. La “muña” colectada del distrito de San José de Lourdes-Cajamarca; y el “pinku”, del distrito de Camporredondo-Amazonas. Los aceites esenciales se obtuvieron por destilación por arrastre de vapor a partir de las hojas; siendo la densidad de M. mollis 0,886 y de P. carpunya 1,023; mediante cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (CG-MS) se identificaron en “muña” 24 compuestos, siendo los de mayor porcentaje pulegona (40,94%), mentona (32,72%) y limoneno (1,92%); y en “pinku”, 22 compuestos, siendo los de mayor porcentaje el metileugenol (40,49%), safrol (31,24%) e isohomogenol (7,5%). Cada aceite esencial se enfrentaron a microorganismos de interés en la higiene alimentaria: bacterias gram negativas como Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, y las bacterias gram positivas como Staphylococcus aureus y Enterococcus faecalis. Los aceites esenciales de M. mollis y P. carpunya exhibieron un amplio espectro de acción antibacteriana tanto para bacterias gram positivas como gram negativas, con una CMI, en M. mollis, para S. aureus 8,86 µg /ml y E. coli 70,88 µg /ml y en P. carpunya, para S. aureus 5,12 µg /ml y E. coli 20,46 µg/ml. Se concluye que los aceites esenciales utilizados en este estudio, en bajas concentraciones, poseen actividad antibacteriana contra las bacterias E. coli y S. aureus.

Aloysia triphylla is widely used in traditional medicine from Peru for its sedative, digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. However, comprehensive studies on the biological activities of its essential oil (EO), particularly from Peruvian sources, remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition and enantiomeric profile of A. triphylla EO and evaluate its antibacterial, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and cytotoxic activities. The EO was obtained by steam distillation and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 62 compounds were identified, with (E)-caryophyllene (16.80%), β-pinene (9.96%), and germacrene D (10.00%) being the major components. Enantiomeric analysis revealed specific chiral signatures, including (−)-α-pinene, (+)-limonene, and (R)-(−)-linalool. The EO exhibited significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 5 µg/mL), and weak antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 7720 and 4648 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS, respectively). Additionally, the EO demonstrated moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 87.8 µg/mL) and cytotoxicity in the Artemia salina assay (LC₅₀ = 964 µg/mL). These findings suggest that A. triphylla EO possesses promising bioactivities with potential applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields.

El escenario académico posgradual exhibe un problema creciente por el incremento de estudiantes que no culminan sus tesis debido a los obstáculos que afrontan desde la generación del proyecto de investigación. El objetivo del estudio se orientó a diseñar y aplicar una asesoría personalizada para superar las dificultades que experimentan los egresados de postgrado en la elaboración del proyecto de tesis. El abordaje del estudio mixto y secuencial presenta dos etapas, en la primera etapa cualitativa fueron cuarenta egresados de programas de doctorado, maestría y segunda especialidad (2006 a 2021) sin proyecto de tesis, quienes respondieron un cuestionario válido y confiable, lo que permitió identificar los obstáculos afrontados y en la segunda etapa cualitativa, se generó la ideación de la asesoría personalizada concebida mediante Design thinking (pensamiento de diseño) en cinco voluntarios de distintos programas de segunda especialidad. Los resultados en primera instancia reportan dificultades en los diferentes momentos de la investigación científica, inconvenientes personales y de asesoría, asimismo evidencian las expectativas sobre una supervisión progresiva, soporte en la redacción y una comunicación constante; la satisfacción de estas necesidades, fue posible mediante el diseño y puesta en marcha de una asesoría integral y personalizada en los egresados voluntarios, quienes lograron culminar con sus proyectos de investigación aprobados. Se valora la importancia de una asesoría con énfasis en la supervisión y seguimiento permanentes para el logro de resultados satisfactorios a nivel posgradual.