The emergence of resistance for antipedicular
agents and the need of potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
therapeutics for the treatment of a neurodegenerative
disorder such as Alzheimer disease has led researchers
to the exploration of new therapeutic alternatives
such as natural volatile oils. Therefore, the current
investigation aimed to identify the components of
Satureja capitata L. volatile oil (VO), and examine the
VO anticholinesterase, and antipedicular activities.
The plant phytoconstituents were identified using Gas
chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method,
while the anticholinesterase activity was determined
against butyryl- and acetyl-cholinesterase using Ellman’s
method. In addition, antipedicular activity was established
using the diffusion method. The obtained GC-MS results
identified 16 compounds in S. capitata VO with the major
constituents being carvacrol, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene.
Anticholinesterase analysis showed a marked inhibition