Effect of Chemical Profile on In Vitro Biological Activities of Essential Oils from Southeast Moroccan Cladanthus eriolepis, Asteriscus graveolens, and Teucrium luteum subsp. flavovirens

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between chemical profiles and in vitro biological activities of essential oils from Cladanthus eriolepis, Asteriscus graveolens, and Teucrium luteum subsp. flavovirens. The chemical composition of these essential oils has been previously reported in our recent publications, revealing distinct chemical profiles with pronounced interspecific variability and identification rates of 83.3%, 96.7%, and 98.1%, respectively. C. eriolepis exhibited a chemical profile rich in aliphatic esters with a mixed monoterpene–sesquiterpene composition dominated by α-pinene (13.0%), isobutyl angelate (10.7%), and 2-methylbutyl angelate (9.5%), whereas A. graveolens was characterized by a high abundance of 6-oxocyclonerolidol (72.5%). T. luteum subsp. flavovirens showed greater chemical complexity, including elemol (16.4%), α-pinene (12.0%), and eudesmol isomers (14.3%). All essential oils exhibited significant biological activities across various in vitro assays. C. eriolepis showed the strongest acaricidal effect (LC50 = 0.539 µL/mL) and notable inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), tyrosinase, and α-glucosidase (78.4%, 74.6%, and 69.2%, respectively). T. luteum subsp. flavovirens displayed the highest antioxidant capacity (DPPH IC50 = 51.60 µg/mL; FRAP IC50 = 35.53 µg/mL). Overall, variations in chemical profiles strongly influence biological activities, highlighting their potential as multifunctional bioactive sources.