Cannabis sativa leaf essential oil fractions and bioactive compounds: chemistry, functionality and health-enhancing traits

Cannabis sativa leaf essential oil (CSEO) and fractions (CSF) were investigated for their fungicidal, bactericidal, antioxidant, and cytotoxic traits. The extraction of CSEO was performed at 110 °C, 120 °C, and 130 °C through a hydrodistillation technique. A maximum extraction yield (0.035%) was obtained at 110 °C. Caryophyllene, humulene, trans-α-bergamotene, and cis-β-farnesene were the main components identified using GC–MS. The fractionation of CSEO was carried out using vacuum fractionation. Total phenolic contents (TPC) were 13.4–13.8 and 11.2–14.6 mg GAE/mL, total flavonoid contents were 14.1–14.2 and 10.7–15.3 mg CE/mL, and pro-anthocyanidin contents were 8.91–10.4 and 7.16–11.3 mg VE/mL for CSEO and CSF, respectively. Antioxidant activity assessed by scavenging DPPH· recorded 20.5–26.2% for CSEO and a maximum of 37.7% for F1 of 110 °C extracted CSEO. F4 of 130 °C extracted CSEO showed maximum inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation. The maximum antibacterial effect was 19.3 mm, 19.6 mm, and 19.8 mm (zone of inhibition), while maximum antifungal activity was 20.1 mm, 22.1 mm, and 22.2 mm exhibited by F1, F5, and F4 for 110 °C, 120 °C, and 130 °C-extracted CSEO, respectively. Maximum brine shrimp cytotoxicity values were 20 ppm, and 25 ppm showed by F1 of CSEO collected at 110 °C. The IC₅₀ of antitumor potential was 40.2 μL/mL for F4 of 130 °C extracted CSEO.