Ballota acetabulosa (L.) Bentham: A First-Time GC-MS Analysis and Antioxidant Potential of its Essential Oil

Background: Ballota acetabulosa native to the Mediterranean region, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, holds significance in folk medicine. Externally, it is applied for treating cuts and burns, while internally, it is utilized to alleviate inflammation, suppress cough, and address gastrointestinal issues. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil of Ballota acetabulosa and to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the essential oil, as well as the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant. Essential oil analysis was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), while 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation assays were applied to the essential oil, water, and ethanol extracts of the plant. Results: Spathulenol was found to be the predominant constituent of the essential oil, comprising 25.03% of the oil. Compared to the control group (Propyl gallate for DPPH, IC50 0.109; BHT for inhibition of lipid peroxidation, IC50 0.133), the essential oil was found to have insignificant antioxidant activity (IC50 value 10.395 mg/mL for DPPH, 1.051 mg/mL for inhibition of lipid peroxidation). Moreover, ethanolic extract (IC50 value 1.583 mg/mL for DPPH, 0.029 mg/mL for inhibition of lipid peroxidation) exerted more antioxidant activity than aqueous extract (IC50 value 1.9017 mg/mL for DPPH, 0.161 mg/mL for inhibition of lipid peroxidation). Conclusion: Hitherto, this is the earliest report on the composition and activity of the essential oil Ballota acetabulosa. However, further investigation of different antioxidant capacity assays is suggested to highlight potential variations in mechanisms of action and subsequent results. Everything considered, this study advances the comprehension of the chemical composition and possible therapeutic uses of Ballota acetabulosa, highlighting the need for more research into its uses.