Dracocephalum moldavica and Nepeta racemosa Essential Oils: A Review of Chemical Composition, Biological Activities, and Anti-Helicobacter pylori Potential
- 1Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 2Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 3Department of Rheumatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Clinical County Emergency Hospital, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
Dracocephalum moldavica and Nepeta racemosa essential oils (DMEO and NREO) are under-studied Lamiaceae oils whose major constituents—citral-type monoterpenes and nepetalactones, respectively—have been independently associated with antibacterial and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity; however, the literature on both oils remains fragmented. This comprehensive narrative review, based on a structured search of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar (2016–2026), integrates 78 publications on their chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, mechanisms of action, applications, and toxicological profiles. DMEO is dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, chiefly geranyl acetate, geranial, neral, and geraniol, and exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, generally stronger against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas its antioxidant activity is weaker than that of synthetic standards. NREO composition is markedly chemotype-dependent, ranging from nepetalactone-dominant to 1,8-cineole- or citral-rich profiles, and direct bioactivity and toxicity data remain scarce. Overall, DMEO has a considerably stronger evidence base than NREO, and safety conclusions for both oils rely largely on data for major constituents rather than on whole-oil testing. The main limitations, namely methodological heterogeneity and the absence of direct anti-H. pylori data, define the research priorities: MIC/MBC testing of chemically characterized oils against reference and clinical H. pylori strains, antibiotic synergy, gastric cytotoxicity, and in vivo validation.
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BibTeX
@article{grigor2026dracocephalum,
title = {{Dracocephalum moldavica and Nepeta racemosa Essential Oils: A Review of Chemical Composition, Biological Activities, and Anti-Helicobacter pylori Potential}},
author = {Oana M. Grigor and Carmen R. Pop and Alina L. Nistor and Rodica Vârban and Ileana C. Nicoară and Liana C. Salanţă and Ancuța M. Rotar},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31203599},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3599},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Dracocephalum moldavica and Nepeta racemosa Essential Oils: A Review of Chemical Composition, Biological Activities, and Anti-Helicobacter pylori Potential
AU - Oana M. Grigor
AU - Carmen R. Pop
AU - Alina L. Nistor
AU - Rodica Vârban
AU - Ileana C. Nicoară
AU - Liana C. Salanţă
AU - Ancuța M. Rotar
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31203599
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3599
AB - Dracocephalum moldavica and Nepeta racemosa essential oils (DMEO and NREO) are under-studied Lamiaceae oils whose major constituents—citral-type monoterpenes and nepetalactones, respectively—have been independently associated with antibacterial and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity; however, the literature on both oils remains fragmented. This comprehensive narrative review, based on a structured search of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar (2016–2026), integrates 78 publications on their chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, mechanisms of action, applications, and toxicological profiles. DMEO is dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, chiefly geranyl acetate, geranial, neral, and geraniol, and exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, generally stronger against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas its antioxidant activity is weaker than that of synthetic standards. NREO composition is markedly chemotype-dependent, ranging from nepetalactone-dominant to 1,8-cineole- or citral-rich profiles, and direct bioactivity and toxicity data remain scarce. Overall, DMEO has a considerably stronger evidence base than NREO, and safety conclusions for both oils rely largely on data for major constituents rather than on whole-oil testing. The main limitations, namely methodological heterogeneity and the absence of direct anti-H. pylori data, define the research priorities: MIC/MBC testing of chemically characterized oils against reference and clinical H. pylori strains, antibiotic synergy, gastric cytotoxicity, and in vivo validation.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -