<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
<p>This study was conducted to determine whether essential oils had anti-influenza A/WS/33 virus activity and whether there were specific compounds associated with this activity.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
<p>There were 63 essential oils evaluated for anti-influenza (A/WS/33 virus) activity using a cytopathic effect reduction method. The chemical composition of the anti-influenza essential oils was phytochemically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
<p>The antiviral assays demonstrated that 11 of the 62 essential oils (100 μg/mL) possessed anti-influenza activity, reducing visible cytopathic effects of influenza A/WS/33 virus activity by > 30%. Furthermore, marjoram, clary sage and anise oils exhibited anti-influenza A/WS/33 virus activity of > 52.8%. However, oseltamivir (the anti-influenza A and B drug), showed cytotoxicity at the same concentration (100 μg/mL) as the essential oils. The chemical composition detected by GC–MS analysis, differed amongst the 3 most potent anti-viral essential oils (marjoram, clary sage and anise oils) except for linalool, which was detected in all 3 essential oils.</p></sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
<p>This study demonstrated anti-influenza activity in 11 essential oils tested, with marjoram, clary sage and anise essential oils being the most effective at reducing visible cytopathic effects of the A/WS/33 virus. All 3 oils contained linalool, suggesting that this may have anti-influenza activity. Further investigation is needed to characterize the antiviral activity of linalool against influenza A/WS/33 virus.</p></sec>
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Sustainable enhancement of sweet marjoram production: effects of biostimulants and biological pest control Fatma Sayed Aboud Mohamed, Samia M. Abd-El Hameed, Dalia Adly Biological Agriculture & Horticulture.2026; : 1. CrossRef
Essential Oils: Chemical Composition and Diverse Biological Activities : A Comprehensive Review Yamina Ben Miri Natural Product Communications.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Linalool-based silver nanoconjugates as potential therapeutics for glioblastoma: in silico and in vitro insights Hina Manzoor, Muhammad Umer Khan, Samiullah Khan, Mohibullah Shah, Chaudhry Ahmed Shabbir, Hamad M. Alkhtani, Mansureh Ghavam PLOS One.2025; 20(6): e0325281. CrossRef
In vitro antiviral activity of Coriandrum sativum L. seed crude extracts against respiratory syncytial virus Darssheela Ramasamy, Nur Suhanawati Ashaari, Zetty Norhana Balia Yusof, Azimah Abdul Wahab, Iffah Izzati Zakaria, Saila Ismail Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biot.2025; : 78. CrossRef
Phytochemistry and Biological Profile of Gaultheria procumbens L. and Wintergreen Essential Oil: From Traditional Application to Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets Piotr Michel, Monika Anna Olszewska International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2024; 25(1): 565. CrossRef
A single intranasal dose of essential oil spray confers modulation of the nasopharyngeal microbiota and short-term inhibition of Mannheimia in feedlot cattle: a pilot study Gabriela Magossi, Kaycie N. Schmidt, Thomas M. Winders, Zachary E. Carlson, Devin B. Holman, Sarah R. Underdahl, Kendall C. Swanson, Samat Amat Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oils extracted from
Pimenta dioica
and
Piper auritum
leaves grown in Mexico
Anayancy Lam-Gutiérrez, Teresa Ayora-Talavera, Eduardo Raymundo Garrido-Ramírez, Víctor Manuel Ruíz-Valdiviezo, Jorge Martín Guzmán-Albores, Jairo Cristóbal-Alejo Cogent Food & Agriculture.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Screening and selection of essential oils for an intranasal spray against bovine respiratory pathogens based on antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antibiofilm activities Samat Amat, Gabriela Magossi, AGM Rakibuzzaman, Devin B. Holman, Kaycie N. Schmidt, Luke Kosel, Sheela Ramamoorthy Frontiers in Veterinary Science.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Essential oils pharmacological activity: Chemical markers, biogenesis, plant sources, and commercial products Hamdoon A. Mohammed, Ghassan M. Sulaiman, Riaz A. Khan, Ali Z. Al-Saffar, Mayyadah H. Mohsin, Salim Albukhaty, Ahmed Ismail Process Biochemistry.2024; 144: 112. CrossRef
Systematic Review on Major Antiviral Phytocompounds from Common
Medicinal Plants against SARS-CoV-2 Suvendu Ghosh, Partha Sarathi Singha, Lakshmi Kanta Das, Debosree Ghosh Medicinal Chemistry.2024; 20(6): 613. CrossRef
Linalool: Therapeutic Indication And Their Multifaceted Biomedical
Applications Shiva Singh, Anuradha Mishra Drug Research.2024; 74(06): 255. CrossRef
Computational Investigation of Bioactive Phytoconstituents as SarS-Cov-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Through Molecular Docking and Interaction Fingerprint Studies Rajitha Galla, Vidya Rani Murthi, Yasmintaj Shaik, Saritha Karnati, Umakanth Naik Vankadoth, Umamaheswari Amineni Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal.2024; 17(2): 863. CrossRef
Exploring the Nutritional-Nutraceutical Composition and Phytochemical Potential of Garlic Agents in Preclinical and Clinical Studies With a Focus on Drug Likeness Amar Jeet Gupta, Pawan Mainkar, Vijay Mahajan Journal of Herbal Medicine.2024; 46: 100911. CrossRef
Peculiarities of children’s health status after acute respiratory viral infections: a look at the problem, ways to solve it Yu.V. Marushko, T.V. Marushko, O.A. Dmytryshyn, O.A. Bovkun, T.V. Iovitsa, B.Ya. Dmytryshyn CHILD`S HEALTH.2024; 19(6): 397. CrossRef
COVID-19 pandemic sheds a new research spotlight on antiviral potential of essential oils – A bibliometric study Binawati Ginting, Williams Chiari, Teuku Fais Duta, Syihaabul Hudaa, Agnia Purnama, Harapan Harapan, Diva Rayyan Rizki, Kana Puspita, Rinaldi Idroes, Meriatna Meriatna, Muhammad Iqhrammullah Heliyon.2023; 9(7): e17703. CrossRef
Antiviral Effect of Propylene Glycol against Envelope Viruses in Spray and Volatilized Forms Yui Hirama, Shintaro Onishi, Ryunosuke Shibata, Hirohiko Ishida, Takuya Mori, Noriyasu Ota Viruses.2023; 15(7): 1421. CrossRef
Essential Oils: Chemistry and Pharmacological Activities Damião P. de Sousa, Renan Oliveira S. Damasceno, Riccardo Amorati, Hatem A. Elshabrawy, Ricardo D. de Castro, Daniel P. Bezerra, Vitória Regina V. Nunes, Rebeca C. Gomes, Tamires C. Lima Biomolecules.2023; 13(7): 1144. CrossRef
Survey on Medicinal Plants and Herbs in Traditional Iranian Medicine with Anti-oxidant, Anti-viral, Anti-microbial, and Anti-inflammation Properties Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian, Wenli Sun Letters in Drug Design & Discovery.2023; 20(11): 1707. CrossRef
Preventing fomite transmission using antiviral materials: Perspectives on food packaging after COVID-19 pandemic Ruchir Priyadarshi, Shiv Dutt Purohit, Tabli Ghosh, Jong-Whan Rhim Food Packaging and Shelf Life.2023; 40: 101171. CrossRef
In silico Molecular Docking Analysis of some Terpenoids against 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2 Kushagra Nagori, Madhulika Pradhan, Kartik T. Nakhate, Hemant R. Badwaik, Reena Deshmukh, Ayushmaan Roy, Rashnita Sharma, Shobhit P. Srivastava, Sonia Chawla, Vishal Jain, Mukesh Sharma Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology.2023; : 4791. CrossRef
Antiviral and Virucidal Properties of Essential Oils and Isolated Compounds – A Scientific Approach Jürgen Reichling Planta Medica.2022; 88(08): 587. CrossRef
Therapeutic benefits of Salvia species: A focus on cancer and viral infection Chinonso Anthony Ezema, Timothy Prince Chidike Ezeorba, Rita Ngozi Aguchem, Innocent Uzochukwu Okagu Heliyon.2022; 8(1): e08763. CrossRef
Ultrastructural Damages to H1N1 Influenza Virus Caused by Vapor Essential Oils Valentina Noemi Madia, Walter Toscanelli, Daniela De Vita, Marta De Angelis, Antonella Messore, Davide Ialongo, Luigi Scipione, Valeria Tudino, Felicia Diodata D’Auria, Roberto Di Santo, Stefania Garzoli, Annarita Stringaro, Marisa Colone, Magda Marchetti Molecules.2022; 27(12): 3718. CrossRef
Anti-Coronavirus Efficiency and Redox-Modulating Capacity of Polyphenol-Rich Extracts from Traditional Bulgarian Medicinal Plants Neli Vilhelmova-Ilieva, Zdravka Petrova, Almira Georgieva, Elina Tzvetanova, Madlena Trepechova, Milka Mileva Life.2022; 12(7): 1088. CrossRef
Essential Oils and Their Compounds as Potential Anti-Influenza Agents Ayodeji Oluwabunmi Oriola, Adebola Omowunmi Oyedeji Molecules.2022; 27(22): 7797. CrossRef
STANDARDIZATION OF ORTHOSIPHON ARISTATUS, BLUME MIQ FAHRAUK FARAMAYUDA, SORAYA RIYANTI, SURYANI, AKHIRUL KAHFI SYAM, ELFAHM, TOTIK MARIANI, SUKRASNO International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics.2022; : 72. CrossRef
Potential anti-influenza effective plants used in Turkish folk medicine: A review Seyid Ahmet Sargin Journal of Ethnopharmacology.2021; 265: 113319. CrossRef
‘BhAVI-23’-A spice-herb based dietary infusion possessing in-vitro anti-viral potential Sudhanshu Saxena, Sanjeev Kumar, Sachin N. Hajare, Sumit Gupta, Satyendra Gautam, Sunil K. Ghosh Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.2021; 12(2): 312. CrossRef
Non-Cannabinoid Metabolites of Cannabis sativa L. with Therapeutic Potential Henry Lowe, Blair Steele, Joseph Bryant, Ngeh Toyang, Wilfred Ngwa Plants.2021; 10(2): 400. CrossRef
Antiviral activity of Lavandula angustifolia L. and Salvia officinalis L. essential oils against avian influenza H5N1 virus Doha H. Abou Baker, Ryszard Amarowicz, Ahmed Kandeil, Mohamed A. Ali, Eman A. Ibrahim Journal of Agriculture and Food Research.2021; 4: 100135. CrossRef
In vitro Assessment of Antiviral Effect of Natural Compounds on Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Coronavirus Manuel Gómez-García, Héctor Puente, Héctor Argüello, Óscar Mencía-Ares, Pedro Rubio, Ana Carvajal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Natural oil blend formulation as an anti-African swine fever virus agent in in vitro primary porcine alveolar macrophage culture Quang Lam Truong, Lan Thi Nguyen, Haig Yousef Babikian, Rajeev Kumar Jha, Hoa Thi Nguyen, Thanh Long To Veterinary World.2021; 14(3): 794. CrossRef
Investigative study into whether an insect repellent has virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 Sophie J. Smither, Lin S. Eastaugh, James S. Findlay, Thomas R. Laws, Stephen N. Marriott, Stuart Notman, Lyn M. O’Brien, Amanda L. Phelps, Mark Richards, David Ulaeto, Pat Watts, Mark S. Lever, Norman Govan
Journal of General Virology
.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Transdermal Film Loaded with Garlic Oil-Acyclovir Nanoemulsion to Overcome Barriers for Its Use in Alleviating Cold Sore Conditions Alshaimaa M. Almehmady, Sarah A. Ali Pharmaceutics.2021; 13(5): 669. CrossRef
Protective Action of L. salivarius SGL03 and Lactoferrin against COVID-19 Infections in Human Nasopharynx Marzena Kucia, Ewa Wietrak, Mateusz Szymczak, Michał Majchrzak, Paweł Kowalczyk Materials.2021; 14(11): 3086. CrossRef
Novel formulation with essential oils as a potential agent to minimize African swine fever virus transmission in an in vivo trial in swine Haig Yousef Babikian, Rajeev Kumar Jha, Quang Lam Truong, Lan Thi Nguyen, Yusef Babikyan, Hoa Thi Nguyen, Thanh Long To, Ali Agus Veterinary World.2021; : 1853. CrossRef
Effect of hot air and infrared drying on the retention of cannabidiol and terpenes in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Chang Chen, Ivan Wongso, Daniel Putnam, Ragab Khir, Zhongli Pan Industrial Crops and Products.2021; 172: 114051. CrossRef
Cinnamon and its possible impact on COVID-19: The viewpoint of traditional and conventional medicine Maryam Yakhchali, Zahra Taghipour, Mehran Mirabzadeh Ardakani, Mahdi Alizadeh Vaghasloo, Mahdi Vazirian, Sima Sadrai Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.2021; 143: 112221. CrossRef
Evaluation of botanicals as potential COVID-19 symptoms terminator Ufuk Koca Caliskan, Methiye Mancak Karakus World Journal of Gastroenterology.2021; 27(39): 6551. CrossRef
Antiviral Activities of Eucalyptus Essential Oils: Their Effectiveness as Therapeutic Targets against Human Viruses Daniel Mieres-Castro, Sunny Ahmar, Rubab Shabbir, Freddy Mora-Poblete Pharmaceuticals.2021; 14(12): 1210. CrossRef
Cannabidiol and terpenes from hemp – ingredients for future foods and processing technologies Chang Chen, Zhongli Pan Journal of Future Foods.2021; 1(2): 113. CrossRef
Natural Products, a Potential Therapeutic Modality in Management and Treatment of nCoV-19 Infection: Preclinical and Clinical Based Evidence Ashif Iqubal, Mohammad K. Iqubal, Musheer Ahmed, Syed E. Haque Current Pharmaceutical Design.2021; 27(9): 1153. CrossRef
Potential of pharmacological and herbal for COVID-19: a narrative review Syahrul Tuba, Tesia Aisyah Rahmania Pharmacy Reports.2021; 1(1): 2. CrossRef
New Tricks for Old Guys: Recent Developments in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applications and Exploitation of Selected Species from the Lamiaceae Family Edoardo Napoli, Laura Siracusa, Giuseppe Ruberto Chemistry & Biodiversity.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Chemistry, bioactivities, mode of action and industrial applications of essential oils B. Sharmeen Jugreet, Shanoo Suroowan, R.R. Kannan Rengasamy, M. Fawzi Mahomoodally Trends in Food Science & Technology.2020; 101: 89. CrossRef
Exploring multiple mechanisms of Qingjie Fanggan prescription for prevention and treatment of influenza based on systems pharmacology Kai Gao, Yan-Ping Song, Xia Du, Hao Chen, Lin-Tao Zhao Computational Biology and Chemistry.2020; 88: 107307. CrossRef
Antiviral potential of garlic (Allium sativum) and its organosulfur compounds: A systematic update of pre-clinical and clinical data Razina Rouf, Shaikh Jamal Uddin, Dipto Kumer Sarker, Muhammad Torequl Islam, Eunus S. Ali, Jamil A. Shilpi, Lutfun Nahar, Evelin Tiralongo, Satyajit D. Sarker Trends in Food Science & Technology.2020; 104: 219. CrossRef
Antiviral Effects of Plant-Derived Essential Oils and Their Components: An Updated Review Li Ma, Lei Yao Molecules.2020; 25(11): 2627. CrossRef
Thymus mastichina: Composition and Biological Properties with a Focus on Antimicrobial Activity Márcio Rodrigues, Ana Clara Lopes, Filipa Vaz, Melanie Filipe, Gilberto Alves, Maximiano P. Ribeiro, Paula Coutinho, André R. T. S. Araujo Pharmaceuticals.2020; 13(12): 479. CrossRef