Eucalyptus essential oils: chemical profiling and pharmacological potential for sustainable forest cultivation

Eucalyptus stands out as a crucial species for forest cultivation, particularly due to its widespread industrial applications particularly the production of essential oils (EOs). Given the international significance of Eucalyptus EOs and their potential to enhance environmental and socioeconomic conditions, the aim of this work is to investigate the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of EOs from nine understudied Eucalyptus species. Results showed that oxygenated monoterpenes dominated the chemical profiles, with 1,8-cineole being the predominant component in most species. E. wandoo, E. punctata, and E. diversifolia exhibited the most effective antiradical actions. All EOs demonstrate α-glucosidase inhibitory effects with IC50 values ranging from 1.86 to 3.11 mg/mL. In cytotoxicity assessments, E. wandoo displayed a remarkable 28-fold higher IC50 against Vero than MCF-7. Results highlighted potent anti-inflammatory properties surpassing the positive control for all studied species, with E. punctata exhibiting the best IC50 value of 4.42 µg/mL. The tested major compounds, α-pinene and eucalyptol, demonstrated lower efficacy compared to the EOs across all tested activities. This research provides valuable insights for selecting Eucalyptus species and underlines the importance of this natural product in order to preserve its natural habitats and implementing reforestation efforts in other areas.