**3. Discussion**

#### *3.1. The Chemical Composition*

About the chemical composition of the EO, the hydrocarbon sesquiterpene fraction was predominant, corresponding to 74.7% and 80.4% with a non-polar and a polar column respectively. Furthermore, an oxygenated sesquiterpene fraction was present between 9.6% and 8.3% of the whole amount. No monoterpenes were detected in the EO. Major components of this volatile fraction were γ-curcumene and β-sesquiphellandrene, together with two undetermined oxygenated sesquiterpenes (molecular weight 220 amu and 262 amu, respectively). If we compare these results with the only two partial analyses, known so far for EOs of genus *Jungia* (*J. paniculata* and *J. polita*), the prevalence of sesquiterpenes is confirmed [7,8]. However, unlike our case, (*E*)-β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide are there the main components. Regarding γ-curcumene, it derives its name from *Curcuma longa* L. (turmeric), but we must look at *Helichrysum italicum* (Roth) G. Don (Asteraceae) to find an important and widely studied botanical species where γ-curcumene is often a major constituent. Other *Helichrysum* species are also familiar with similar sesquiterpene compositions [49]. On the one hand, despite γ-curcumene being quite common and known for a long time, no exhaustive studies on its pharmacology can be found. On the other hand, the EOs where it is an important component are widely described, with all the typical biological activities known for volatile fractions. In regards to β-sesquiphellandrene, it is also a typical hydrocarbon sesquiterpene of *Curcuma longa*. The most important study on its pharmacological properties is probably a recent publication, where β-sesquiphellandrene has been described as a potent anticancer agent. Its activity is comparable with the one of curcumin. According to that investigation, β-sesquiphellandrene would exert an antiproliferative activity, by inhibiting the formation of cancer cell colonies and inducing apoptosis. The neoplastic formations, that appeared to be more sensitive to this metabolite, were leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and colorectal cancer. Furthermore, cancer cells expressing p-53 protein resulted in being more sensitive to β-sesquiphellandrene than those lacking it [50]. Finally, we must mention the presence of two important undetermined compounds, contributing to the mass of the EO with the non-negligible amounts of 6.7–7.2% and 4.7– 3.3%, respectively (see peaks 34 and 53 in Figures 1 and 2). These constituents showed a molecular ion of 220 and 262 amu—the first one being characteristic of sesquiterpenoids with molecular formula C15H24O, whereas the second one is consistent with the rare sesquiterpene derivatives of formula C18H30O (e.g., sesquiterpenes acetones) [25].
