Investigation of the Chemical Profile and Biological Properties of the Genera Grimmia and Dicranum

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) are a significant component of herbal medicine worldwide. However, the components of the EOs from Grimmia orbicularis Bruch ex Wilson, Grimmia alpestris Schleich, Grimmia ovalis (Hedw.) Lindb., Grimmia lisae De., Dicranum scoparium Hedw., Dicranum majus Sm., Dicranum polysetum Sw. and Dicranum spadiceum J.E. Zetterst., as well as the antimicrobial activity of eight moss EOs and methanol extracts (MEs), and the antioxidant, anti-urease, anti-xanthine oxidase (XO) activity and total phenolic content (TPC) of MEs from these eight moss species have not yet been systematically evaluated. The composition of the EOs was determined using the GC/FID/MS method. The antioxidant activities of MEs from eight mosses were assessed using the FRAP and DPPH methods. In addition, the MEs of these eight mosses were analysed for TPC, urease and XO activity using a reference. A total of 80 compounds were identified in the EOs of the eight mosses, including mainly aldehydes (7.3%–95.3%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (53.7%–60.6%), oxygenated monoterpenes (0.2%–16.7%) and terpene-related compounds (1.3%–51.2%). The methanol extract of D. scoparium (FRAP: 341.107 ± 1.248 μmol; DPPH SC₅₀: 0.145 ± 0.005 mg/mL) exhibited the highest antioxidant activities, surpassing even Trolox. Furthermore, the methanol extract of D. scoparium significantly inhibited urease and XO, with IC₅₀ values of 2.542 ± 0.023 μg/mL and IC₅₀: 7.652 ± 0.054 μg/mL, respectively. The chemical composition of the EOs of these eight mosses is presented. Additionally, the biological activities were evaluated, confirming the ethnopharmacological use of these mosses based on their biological properties.