Variations in essential oil composition and biological activity of Hyptis suaveolens Poit: A high value aromatic plant of the Himalaya

Natural products from plants are rich source of chemical diversity and most of the pharmacologically active principles, currently used as drugs, including anticancer agents. Chemical composition, antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from leaves of Hyptis suaveolens Poit vary considerably among the locations. Among samples drawn from various locations, Ranipokhari sample possessed, sabinene (34.80%) and 1,8 cineol (16.19%), as major components. Mohand samples also have sabinene 1,8 cineol as major components but the quantum was less as compared to Ranipokhari. The oil obtained from Raniphokari samples was also having greater activity to inhabit bacteria and fungi as compared to Mohand. While DL-limonene was present in Ranipokhari samples, Mohand samples were devoid of the same. The results of the present study suggested location specific variations in potential of the oil constituents.