Essential oils are mixtures of volatile compounds produced by plants, a characteristic that is widespread across the plant kingdom. These oils are used extensively in perfumery, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. Information about the chemical profiles of these oils is required for various purposes, including quality checks, modifying the yield and composition of oils, and assessing their suitability for use as food. The DataBase of Essential oil Chemical profiles of Medicinal plants of India (sCentInDB) database is a manually curated resource designed to address gaps in essential oil profile information and its applications. By consolidating findings from published literature and books focused on Indian medicinal plants, sCentInDB serves as a centralized, authoritative repository of information. The database contains detailed information on 554 plants and 3,420 chemical constituents drawn from 778 published research articles, as well as 54 unique odors and 41 unique therapeutic uses. Each entry is linked to standardized identifiers, ensuring data consistency and usability.
sCentInDB compiles a wealth of information on chemical profiles, their structures, plant sources, plant parts, locations, extraction methods, and identification techniques. It also includes information on therapeutic uses, odor, and color of the oil at the plant-part level, providing valuable insights into the sensory attributes of essential oils. Moreover, the database extends its utility by including pharmacokinetic data, offering insights into how these compounds interact within biological systems. The database has hyperlinks to external databases for plant, chemical, and therapeutic use information, facilitating interoperability and usability, making sCentInDB an indispensable resource for researchers.
CITATION
If you use our resource, please cite the following research article:Shanmuga Priya Baskaran, Geetha Ranganathan, Ajaya Kumar Sahoo, Kishan Kumar, Jayalakshmi Amaresan, Kundhanathan Ramesh, R.P. Vivek-Ananth, Areejit Samal* sCentInDB: A database of essential oil chemical profiles of Indian medicinal plants, bioRxiv (2025).
* Corresponding author
DISCLAIMER
sCentInDB is a comprehensive resource providing detailed information on the essential oils and chemical profiles of Indian medicinal plants. The information included has been manually curated from published research articles and books, with rigorous attention to accuracy and completeness. While every effort has been made to ensure the completeness of the data, we disclaim responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions present in the original publications from where we have compiled the information. Users are encouraged to critically assess the provided information and exercise discretion in its interpretation and application. This resource aims to support basic research in the field of essential oil chemistry. Please note that the content provided does not necessarily reflect the views or objectives of our employers or funders.