Exploring anti-inflammatory non-essential oil metabolites in Mentha canadensis: Insights into neutrophil extracellular trap inhibition for functional health promotion

Mentha canadensis, commonly known as Canadian mint, has been utilized in herbal medicine for its menthol content, addressing digestive and respiratory issues. It also serves as a popular culinary herb, adding a refreshing minty flavor to dishes and beverages. However, research on its non-essential oils and their anti-inflammatory potential is lacking. This study utilized multi-informative molecular networking to comprehensively profile the non-essential oils of M. canadensis. Cinnamic acid derivatives were identified as potent anti-inflammatory agents, with high activity ratings. By analyzing the Molecular Networking (MN) database, fourteen metabolites were identified. Compounds within the bioactive MN clusters demonstrate significant inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation, playing a crucial role in the management of oxidative stress. These compounds also effectively suppressed the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. In conclusion, salvianolic acid B (IC₅₀: 0.08 μM) was promoted as the chemical marker of M. canadensis for its potential anti-inflammatory effect. This study pioneers the identification of anti-inflammatory metabolites in M. canadensis' non-essential oils, offering insights into its therapeutic properties and potential for health-centric culinary applications.