The anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities with chemical composition and molecular docking of essential oil and nonpolar extracts of Mentha piperita were evaluated using enzymatic and chemical methods. Molecular docking tools were used to explain the interaction of the major chemical constituents with the enzymes. GC/MS analyses revealed that the main compounds in M. piperita essential oil were l-menthone (43.601%) followed by pulegone (21.610%), linolenic acid (25.628%), and l-menthone (10.957%), representing the major compounds of the petroleum ether extract. Imidazoquinoline (7.767%) and 17-N-acetyl-oroidine (5.363%) were the major constituents of the chloroform extract. Linolenic acid (19.397%) and l-menthone (6.336%) were the most abundant compounds in the hexane extract. The M. piperita essential oil and nonpolar extracts showed moderate antioxidant activity. The essential oil showed the most promising anticholinesterase activity with IC₅₀ = 10.66 ± 0.12 µg/mL and IC₅₀ = 16.33 ± 0.03 µg/mL against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), respectively, close to galantamine in AChE and more active in BChE, followed by the interesting activity in the petroleum ether extract with IC₅₀ = 23.42 ± 3.06 µg/mL in AChE and IC₅₀ = 62.00 ± 3.22 µg/mL in BChE. The docking experiments showed that among the seven major identified compounds, N-acetyl-17-oroidine showed the highest binding score (63.01 in AChE and 63.68 in BChE). This compound was found to bind the catalytic and peripheral sites, resulting in more potent inhibitory activity than galantamine, which only binds to the catalytic site. These findings suggested the possible use of M. piperita essential oil and nonpolar extracts as a potential source of alternative natural anti-Alzheimer compounds.

In this work, a series of polyoxometalates (POMs), as soluble salts of formula Sn _1.5 PMo ₁₂ O ₄₀ , SbPMo ₁₂ O ₄₀ and H 3 - x Sn x 1 Sb x 2 PMo 12 O 40 ( x = 2 x 1 + 3 x 2 and x 1 , x 2 = 0–0.75) were synthesized using the cationic exchange method under stoichiometric conditions. They were characterized and tested in the oxidation of cyclohexanone using hydrogen peroxide in the absence of organic solvent, co-catalyst phase transfer compounds or surfactants. UV–Visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses showed a partially reduced state of POM with coexistence of the couples Mo(VI)/Mo(V), Sb(V)/Sb(III) and Sn(IV)/Sn(II), without affecting their structure, results confirmed by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies. The reversible cyclic voltammetry analysis evidenced the valence change of the Mo species, Mo(VI)/Mo(V). The POMs are found to be active in the cyclohexanone oxidation reaction and among them the most efficient is H 0 . 75 Sb 0 . 75 PMo 12 O 40 with 49% of adipic acid yield.

Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin. Its fruit oil is used in traditional medicine to treat burns, skin impairments as well as inflammatory diseases as soothing massage or internal use. An increased interest is spotted lately with several commercial brands are spun portraying the benefits of this oil but with no stringent regulations to ascertain its safe use as an edible or cosmeceutical product. This work concerned the investigation of secondary metabolites presents in Pistacia lentiscus fruits oil using both GC-MS and HPLC-DAD-MS technics, and the evaluation of cytotoxicity on human normal dermal fibroblasts to assess safety of use as cosmetic ingredient. This study stands as the first one to report the identification of alkylsalicylic acids in fruits oil and unsaponifiable fraction of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil which calls for therefore, quantification of alkylsalicylic acids, known as skin irritants, in Pistacia lentiscus oil, used as nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals by manufacturers.

Mosquitoes are significant public health insects responsible for numerous vector-borne diseases. Injudicious chemical use has developed metabolic and genetic resistance in mosquitoes. This study evaluated the repellent efficacy of five essential oils (EOs) from local plants [Mentha spicata I, Ruta tuberculata, Mentha spicata II, Lavandula latifolia, and L. stoechas]. M. spicata I and R. tuberculata EOs were extracted using Clavenger hydrodistillation. Simultaneously, the remaining EOs were obtained through a local extraction distillation unit. Chemical composition was identified using GC-MS. Repellency was assessed using the arm-in-cage method, by rearing Culex pipiens s.l. and Aedes albopictus in the laboratory. Additionally, mixtures containing 15% DEET, 15% IR3535, 5% vanillin, and 10% M. spicata I EO were tested. Both mosquito species were clearly repelled by all EOs. M. spicata I was most potent at 10% concentration. The complete protection time (CPT) at 10% M. spicata I EO was increased using blended mixtures containing 15% DEET, 15% IR35353, or 5% vanillin. Regional variations in M. spicata EOs were detected. This study may serve as a foundation for cosmetic manufacturers and pest control products. Developing botanical and hybrid (natural and synthetic) formulations could provide strong protection against insect bites, particularly from disease-vector mosquitoes, helping to prevent vector-borne diseases.