Essential Oil Contents of Hypericum linarioides , H. helianthemoides, and H. lydium with Their Biological Activities: Importance of Hypericum Genus in the Cosmeceutical and Pharmaceutical Industries

In the literature, more than 3000 studies have been carried out on species in the Hypericum genus in the last ten years, especially for H. perforatum. The importance of Hypericum species in traditional medicine and modern medicine is increasing day by day. From this point of view, the chemical composition of H. linarioides, H. helianthemoides, and H. lydium essential oils was analyzed by GC-MS/FID. In addition, their antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities along with their enzyme inhibitory potentials (cholinesterase, urease, tyrosinase, elastase and, collagenase) were defined. Also, in vitro and in silico studies of the major components of the species have been carried out on the studied enzymes. H. linarioides and H. helianthemoides were found to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (63.96% and 43.86%, respectively), and H. lydium in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (48.41%). The major components were indicated as α-pinene for H. linarioides (50.39%) and for H. helianthemoides (36.84%), and β-selinene for H. lydium (10.12%). H. lydium essential oil exhibited very high cytotoxic activity on breast cancer (MCF-7) (selectivity indices SI: 12) and colon cancer (HT-29) (SI: 2) cell lines. In particular, the selectivity indice value in MCF-7 cell lines of H. lydium could have natural therapeutic potential for breast cancer. H. lydium possessed neuropharmacological potential due to its high anticholinesterase activity. Since H. linarioides indicated high anti-aging potential (tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase enzyme inhibitory activities), it could be used in the cosmetic industry.