In this study, researchers from Brazil analyzed the essential oil yield and chemical composition of fresh and dry leaves versus seasonal variation of Lantana camara (West Indian lantana). Their results were published in the Journal of Essential Oil Research.

• Although L. camara is generally seen only as a detriment to plantations, it also possesses medicinal properties.
• The researchers found that variations in the essential oil yield and chemical composition of L. camara throughout the day were notorious.
• They also found that L. camara essential oil contains B-caryophyllene, an anti-inflammatory compound, and germacrene, an active compound with anti-microbial activities.
• The essential oil extracted at 6AM, 12NN and 6PM from L. camara fresh and dry leaves inhibited the growth of Candida albicans more effectively than the standards.
• The essential oil from the dry leaves of L. camara exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on fungi, bacteria and the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE).
• The same essential oil showed better inhibition (96.10 percent) of AChE than the standard used (90.31 percent).

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the essential oil of L. camara is a promising natural medicine for Alzheimer’s disease and microbial infections.

Journal Reference:

Santos RCD, Filho AADM, Chagas EA, Fernandez IM, Takahashi JA, Ferraz VP. INFLUENCE OF DIURNAL VARIATION IN THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND BIOACTIVITIES OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL FROM FRESH AND DRIED LEAVES OFLANTANA CAMARA. Journal of Essential Oil Research. 09 January 2019;31(3):228–234. DOI: 10.1080/10412905.2018.1555102