Linking weed control techniques to anti-inflammatory potential: Comparative analysis of Angelica archangelica L. root essential oil profiles

The present study aimed to evaluate garden angelica (Angelica archangelica L.) root essential oil composition modulated by weed management techniques. Eight different treatments, including weed free (manual weeding removal), weedy check (untreated control), two organic mulches: sawdust and straw, two physical methods mulches: agro-textile foil and silver-brown foil, and two herbicides: Metamitron and Aclonifen, were employed in open field growing A. archangelica. The composition of the root essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results revealed that main compounds in A. archangelica root essential oil was β-phellandrene (6.7–17.2%) and α-pinene (7.8–17.2%), followed by δ-3-carene (4.2–14.1%) and p-cymene (6.4–10.5%). According to molecular docking results and binding energy calculations, there are several compounds present in A. archangelica essential oil that could have modulatory effects on inflammatory pathways. However, α-pinene, osthol, α-terpinol, p-cymene, and β-phellandrene seem to be the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds from the examined oil. Application of herbicides in weed management significantly influences the accumulation α-pinene as a dominant compound in A. archangelica essential oil, while β-phellandrene dominant in straw weed management. Moreover, α-terpineol was the most abundant in sawdust weed management treatment, while osthol was dominant in weed free treatment. In conclusion, organic mulches, especially sawdust, can be recommended for the production of A. archangelica roots with the highest essential oil content, while straw as an organic mulch gives the highest concentration of main compounds with promising anti-inflammatory potential.