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Vetiveria zizanioides, known as vetiver grass, is renowned for its ecological significance in soil erosion control and the restoration of lands polluted by heavy metals. Additionally, this plant is extensively harvested for vetiver oil, widely utilized in both medicine and perfumery. The study was designed to investigate the phytochemicals, antilipase, hemoglobin antiglycation, antihyperglycemic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of V. zizanioides. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various volatile compounds, among which the most predominant ones, which are, 4,6,6-Trimethyl-2-(3-methylbuta-1,3-dienyl) −3-oxatricyclo [5.1.0.0(2,4)] octane, Cycloisolongifolene (8,9-dehydro-), and 9 H-Cycloisolongifolene (8-oxo-). It is noteworthy that this essential oil has shown significant inhibitory activity against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and glycation, with respective IC50 values of 0.47 ± 0.01, 0.42 ± 0.004, 0.58 ± 0.008, and 0.49 ± 0.005 mg/mL. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of EoVZ was assessed against a diverse spectrum of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, as well as fungi, using both disc-diffusion and broth-microdilution techniques. The results showed significant antimicrobial effects against all tested microorganisms, with inhibition zones ranging from 28.33 ± 1.66 mm to 9.0 ± 0.0 mm for bacteria and from 22.5 ± 1.7 mm to 14.0 ± 0.3 mm for fungi. Moreover, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were determined, with values ranging from 0.0625% to 2.0% (v/v) for bacteria and from 2.0% to 8.0% (v/v) for fungi. The MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios indicated bactericidal and fungicidal mechanisms. This study underscores the prominent attributes of EoVZ, particularly its antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties, suggesting its potential as a natural and effective agent ensuring high safety standards for public health.

The objective of this investigation was to assess the chemical makeup of essential oil derived from Ptychotis verticillata (PVEO), and to examine its antifungal, insecticidal, and repellent properties. PVEO was extracted through hydrodistillation, and its volatile constituents were analyzed using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of antifungal activity was carried out using the agar diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test against Candida glabrata, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum. We evaluated the repellent potential, as well as the contact and inhalation toxicity of PVEO against Callosobruchus maculatus. The results of the study indicated that the essential oil of P. verticillata was composed mainly of γ-Terpinen (25.86%), β-Cymene (18.70%) O-Cymen-5-ol (16.78) and α-Pinene (12.13%). PVEO showed potent antifungal activity against all strains tested. The results of insecticidal activity of this essential oil were promising in adult C. maculatus. At a dose of 20 ml · dm–3 of air, EO caused maximum mortality with an LC50 value of 5.64 ml · dm–3 for the inhalation test and 3.4 ml · dm–3 for the contact test. In addition, a significant decrease in the number of eggs laid and adult emergence was observed as EO doses increased, reaching a reduction of around 95% at a dose of 20 ml · dm–3 of air. In terms of repellent activity, PVEO also showed encouraging results. It demonstrated an average repellent activity of around 92 ± 10.95%. Furthermore, molecular docking simulations corroborated the in vitro results and demonstrated that specific p-Menthen-3-one compounds formed more robust hydrogen bonding interactions with the target receptors. These experiments underscore PVEO’s effectiveness as a fungicide against the tested fungal strains, demonstrating its role as a bio-insecticide against C. maculatus adults, and its potential as an appealing repellent. This suggests that PVEO could serve as a valuable alternative within integrated pest management strategies.

Abstract The development of novel antioxidant compounds with high efficacy and low toxicity is of utmost importance in the medicine and food industries. Moreover, with increasing concerns about the safety of synthetic components, scientists are beginning to search for natural sources of antioxidants, especially essential oils (EOs). The combination of EOs may produce a higher scavenging profile than a single oil due to better chemical diversity in the mixture. Therefore, this exploratory study aims to assess the antioxidant activity of three EOs extracted from Cymbopogon flexuosus, Carum carvi, and Acorus calamus in individual and combined forms using the augmented-simplex design methodology. The in vitro antioxidant assays were performed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging approaches. The results of the Chromatography Gas-Mass spectrometry (CG-MS) characterization showed that citral (29.62%) and niral (27.32%) are the main components for C. flexuosus, while d-carvone (62.09%) and d-limonene (29.58%) are the most dominant substances in C. carvi. By contrast, β-asarone (69.11%) was identified as the principal component of A. calamus (30.2%). The individual EO exhibits variable scavenging activities against ABTS and DPPH radicals. These effects were enhanced through the mixture of the three EOs. The optimal antioxidant formulation consisted of 20% C. flexuosus, 53% C. carvi, and 27% A. calamus for DPPHIC50. Whereas 17% C. flexuosus, 43% C. carvi, and 40% A. calamus is the best combination leading to the highest scavenging activity against ABTS radical. These findings suggest a new research avenue for EOs combinations to be developed as novel natural formulations useful in food and biopharmaceutical products.

Medicinal plants are used widely in the treatment of various infectious diseases. One of these medical plants is Moroccan plants such as Anacyclus pyrethrum. In this study, the essential oil isolated from the leaves of Anacyclus pyrethrum (APEO) by the hydrodistillation method was analyzed using (GC/MS) analysis. A total of forty-four compounds were identified form the oil and the oxygenated monoterpenes were the most abundant class of compounds. The major identified compound is santolina alcohol (40.7 %), followed by germacrene-D (8.9 %). The in-vitro assessment of the antimicrobial efficacy of APEO encompassed an investigation involving six microbial strains, including two Gram-positive bacteria, four Gram-negative bacteria, and three fungal strains. The findings revealed noteworthy antibacterial and antifungal properties against all examined microorganisms, with inhibitory zone diameters ranging from 25.67 ± 0.06 mm to 25.19 ± 0.03 mm for Gram-positive bacteria and from 22.34 ± 0.01 mm to 14.43 ± 0.02 mm for Gram-negative bacteria, as determined through the disc-diffusion assay. In the case of antifungal activity, inhibitory zones ranged from 24.57 ± 0.04 mm to 18.37 ± 0.06 mm. Further evaluation revealed that the MIC values of Gram-positive bacteria were at the concentration 0.25 % v/v, while MBC values ranged from 0.25 % to 1.0 % v/v. The Gram-negative bacteria exhibited MIC values spanning from 0.5 % to 2.0 % v/v, with MBC values in the range of 0.5 %–2.0 % v/v. For the fungal strains, MIC values ranged from 0.5 % to 1.0 % v/v, while the MFC consistently remained at 1.0 % for all tested fungal strains. The assessment of the MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios collectively indicates that A. pyrethrum EO possesses bactericidal and fungicidal attributes. The in silico study of bioavailability predictions for compounds in APEO based on six physicochemical properties show optimal physiochemical properties including size, lipophilicity, solubility, flexibility, and saturation. α-Pinene, limonene, germacrene D, and (E)-β-farnesene are non-polar due to their lack of polar groups, and the ADME profile indicates desirable properties for considering these compounds in drug development. Molecular docking investigation indicates that all the compounds of APEO reside well into the binding site of the DNA gyrase B enzyme of Staphylococcus aureus by mediating a number of significant interactions with the binding site residues. The ADME analysis suggested that the major compounds APEO possess desirable properties for further consideration in drug development. In light of these findings, APEO could serve as a natural source for the elaboration of new and active antimicrobial drugs.

Medicinal plants have been utilized for centuries in traditional medicine systems worldwide, providing a rich source of bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities. Lavandula officinalis, a member of the Lamiaceae family, has been recognized for its multifaceted pharmacological activities. In this current investigation, our primary objective was to scrutinize the in vitro inhibitory potential of L. officinalis essential oil (LOEO) against alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, with the aim of understanding its antidiabetic effects. Additionally, the assay encompassed tyrosinase and lipoxygenase (LOX) to assess its anti-inflammatory attributes. Unraveling the underlying molecular mechanisms of these activities prompted an in-silico study. The purpose was to establish correlations between in-vitro observations and computational insights derived from molecular docking, which forecasts the interaction of LOEO molecules with their respective targets, alongside ADMET prediction. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis allow to identify eighteen compounds, with the dominance of L−camphor (43.12 %), 1,8−cineole (34.27 %) and borneol (8.60 %) in LOEO. The antidiabetic evaluation revealed that LOEO exhibited noteworthy inhibitory activity against both α-amylase and α-glucosidase, displaying IC50 values of 3.14 ± 0.05 mg/mL and 2.07 ± 0.03 mg/mL, respectively. The subsequent in-silico study highlighted the particularly strong binding affinity of (E)-Farnesene, with a binding score of −7.4 kcal/mol for alpha-glucosidase, while Germacrene D displayed the highest affinity among the ligands (−7.9 kcal/mol) for the alpha-amylase target. Furthermore, the investigation into in vitro anti-inflammatory activity unveiled LOEO efficacy against tyrosinase (IC50 = 42.74 μg/mL) and LOX (IC50 = 11.58 ± 0.07 μg/mL). The in-silico analysis echoed these findings, indicating α-Cadinene's notable binding affinity of 6 kcal/mol with tyrosinase and α-Cedrene's binding score of −6.5 kcal/mol for LOX. Impressively, for both COX-1 and COX-2, α-Cedrene exhibited significant binding affinities of −7.6 and −7.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The convergence between the in vitro and in silico outcomes underscores the potential of LOEO and its constituent compounds as potent inhibitors targeting both diabetes and the inflammatory processes.

Mentha pulegium L., a plant widely embraced for its therapeutic properties by populations worldwide, including Morocco, has long been recognized for its potential in treating various ailments. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and dermatoprotective properties of essential oil derived from M. pulegium, and thyme honey as well as their combined effects. To unravel the chemical composition, a rigorous GC-MS analysis was conducted. Subsequently, we examined their antioxidant potential through three distinct assays: DPPH●, hydrogen peroxide assay, and xanthine oxidase assay. The anti-inflammatory properties were scrutinized through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Simultaneously, the dermatoprotective efficacy was investigated in vitro by evaluating tyrosinase inhibition. Our findings revealed that pulegone constitutes the predominant compound in M. pulegium essential oil (MPEO), constituting a remarkable 74.82 % of the composition. Significantly, when the essential oil was combined with thym honey, it exhibited superior anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective effects across all in vivo and in vitro tests. Moreover, our in silico molecular docking analysis hinted at the potential role of cyclohexanone, 3-methyl, an element found in the MPEO, in contributing to the observed outcomes. While this study has unveiled promising results regarding the combined in vitro, in vivo and in silico biological activities of the essential oil and honey, it is imperative to delve further into the underlying mechanisms through additional experimentation and alternative experimental methods. Understanding these mechanisms in greater detail will not only enhance our comprehension of the therapeutic potential but also pave the way for the development of innovative treatments and applications rooted in the synergy of these natural compounds. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to test different possible combinations using experimental design model. Moreover, it would be better to test the effect of single compounds of MPEO to clearly elucidate their efficiency. MPEO alone or combined with thyme honey may be a useful for the development of novel biopharmaceuticals.

Background: Inflammation is a natural response of the body to tissue injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of various diseases. Therefore, finding effective ways to reduce inflammation is of great interest to researchers and healthcare providers. The aim of the study was the elucidation of the phenolic profile from J. oxycedrus leaves and berries followed by in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays. Despite the existence of some works on this species, most of these researchers focus their attention on cade oil and only few were interested to study leaves and berries extracts. Methods: HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS2 was used for their characterization of the phenolic profile whereas spectrophotometric microassays in non-cellular and cellular systems (RAW 264.7 macrophages cell line) was assessed for their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Results: Up to twenty-one polyphenolic compounds were positively identified in both extracts. Both leaves and berries extracts showed strong antioxidant capacity to scavenge O2●, with IC50 values of 22.86 ± 2.40 and 122.62 ± 9.42 µg/mL. Moreover, both revealed to have potential to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase in a dose-dependent way, being leaves the most effective vegetal material. Conclusion: The results suggest that J. oxycedrus leaves and berries could be considered exquisite sources of bioactive molecules for a potential further application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Cistus ladanifer L. is an aromatic and resinous perennial shrub commonly used in Moroccan folk medicine against a range of illnesses including skin problems, diabetes, diarrhea, and inflammation. The current investigation aims to determine the bioactive compounds of C. ladanifer essential oil (CL-Eo) extracted by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and their biological properties using in vitro and molecular docking approaches. The GC-MS analysis identified linderol (17.76%), gamma-terpinene (17.55%), and borneol (13.78%) as main bioactive compounds. CL-Eo significantly inhibited α-amylase (IC50 = 0.41 ± 0.009 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.49 ± 0.002 mg/mL) and lipase (IC50 = 0.45 ± 0.004 mg/mL) enzymes. Moreover, CL-Eo showed significant hemoglobin glycation as well as antioxidant capacity as indicated by DPPH, ABTS, Frap and beta-carotene tests. The antimicrobial evaluation used disc-diffusion and microdilution tests in vitro. The results showed that CL-Eo had significant antibacterial activity, particularly against P. mirabilis (17.16 ± 1.04 mm), and moderate effects against L. innocua (13.48 ± 1.65 mm) and E. coli (12.47 ± 0.61 mm). In addition, it demonstrated potent antifungal activity against C. albicans (18.01 ± 0.91 mm) and C. tropicalis (16.45 ± 0.32 mm). The MIC and MBC tests provided confirmation that CL-Eo exhibited potent growth inhibition. The MIC ranged from 0.25 to 8.0% v/v and the MBC or MFC ranged from 0.25 to 16.0% v/v Eo. The tolerance level ratio showed bactericidal and fungicidal effects against tested microbial strains in varying degrees. According to these data, CL-Eo might be suggested as a promising candidate for drug development, specifically for combating candidiasis and diabetes.

Cistus albidus: L., also known as Grey-leaved rockrose and locally addressed as šṭab or tûzzâla lbîḍa, is a plant species with a well-established reputation for its health-promoting properties and traditional use for the treatment of various diseases. This research delves into exploring the essential oil extracted from the aerial components of Cistus albidus (referred to as CAEO), aiming to comprehend its properties concerning antioxidation, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial efficacy, and cytotoxicity. Firstly, a comprehensive analysis of CAEO’s chemical composition was performed through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Subsequently, four complementary assays were conducted to assess its antioxidant potential, including DPPH scavenging, β-carotene bleaching, ABTS scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity assays. The investigation delved into the anti-inflammatory properties via the 5-lipoxygenase assay and the antimicrobial effects of CAEO against various bacterial and fungal strains. Additionally, the research investigated the cytotoxic effects of CAEO on two human breast cancer subtypes, namely, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Chemical analysis revealed camphene as the major compound, comprising 39.21% of the composition, followed by α-pinene (19.01%), bornyl acetate (18.32%), tricyclene (6.86%), and melonal (5.44%). Notably, CAEO exhibited robust antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by the low IC50 values in DPPH (153.92 ± 4.30 μg/mL) and β-carotene (95.25 ± 3.75 μg/mL) assays, indicating its ability to counteract oxidative damage. The ABTS assay and the total antioxidant capacity assay also confirmed the potent antioxidant potential with IC50 values of 120.51 ± 3.33 TE μmol/mL and 458.25 ± 3.67 µg AAE/mg, respectively. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, CAEO displayed a substantial lipoxygenase inhibition at 0.5 mg/mL. Its antimicrobial properties were broad-spectrum, although some resistance was observed in the case of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. CAEO exhibited significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on tumor cell lines in vitro. Additionally, computational analyses were carried out to appraise the physicochemical characteristics, drug-likeness, and pharmacokinetic properties of CAEO’s constituent molecules, while the toxicity was assessed using the Protox II web server.

Tetraclinis articulata is a known traditional medicinal plant used to manage various ailments, such as diabetes, rheumatism and infectious diseases. This study aims to determine the chemical constituents of T. articulata essential oil (EO) and to evaluate its in vitro antibacterial, anti-candidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective properties. In addition, a computational docking approach was used to predict the potential antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties of the identified compounds. The volatile oil obtained by hydrodistillation was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of T. articulata EO was investigated using three complementary assays: DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and tyrosinase enzymes were used to assess the anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective effects of this oil. Moreover, disc-diffusion technique, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays were employed for the antimicrobial screening. The GC-MS analysis revealed that bornyl acetate (41.80 %), α-pinene (17.97 %) and camphor (15.97 %) are the major components of the studied EO. Moreover, T. articulata EO has exhibited promising antioxidant effect on FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS experiments. It also significantly inhibited 5-LOX (IC50 = 67.82 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and tyrosinase (IC50 = 211.93 ± 0.02 μg/mL). The results of MIC and MBC assays indicated that T. articulata EO is able to inhibit the growth of all tested bacteria (Gram + and Gram -) and Candida species. The ratio of tolerance level indicated that the tested oil was bactericidal against the Gram + bacteria and Candida species, whereas it has a bacteriostatic behavior against the Gram− bacteria. In light of these findings, T. articulata EO may be suggested as a potential pharmaceutical agent to prevent inflammation and skin problems and may serve as a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant alternative for sustainable application in food products.

Objectives: Moroccan Arbutus unedo is an essential medicinal plant; however, little is known about the biological properties of its leaves mentioned in Moroccan traditional medicine.Methods : : Various standard experiments were performed to evaluate the phytochemical, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and acute and sub-chronic toxicity characteristics of A. unedo leaves.Results : : Phytochemical screening led to the identification of several phytochemical classes, including tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and anthraquinones, with high concentrations of polyphenols (31.83 ± 0.29 mg GAEs/g extract) and flavonoids (16.66 ± 1.47 mg REs/g extract). Further, the mineral analysis revealed high levels of calcium and potassium. A. unedo extract demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities by inhibiting α-amylase (1.350 ± 0.32 g/mL) and α-glucosidase (0.099 ± 1.21 g/mL) compared to the reference drug Acarbose. Also, the methanolic extract of the plant exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract. Precisely, three of the four examined bacterial strains exhibited substantial susceptibility to the methanolic extract . Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values indicated that A. unedo harbor abundant bactericidal compounds. For toxicological studies, mice were administered with A. unedo aqueous extract at single doses of 2,000 and 5,000 mg/kg. They did not exhibit significant abnormal behavior, toxic symptoms, or death during the 14-day acute toxicity test and the 90-day sub-chronic toxicity test periods. The general behavior, body weight, and hematological and biochemical status of the rats were assessed, revealing no toxicological symptoms or clinically significant changes in biological markers observed in the mice models, except hypoglycemia, after 90 days of daily dose administration.Conclusion : : The study highlighted several biological advantages of A. unedo leaves without toxic effects in short-term application. Our findings suggest that conducting more comprehensive and extensive in vivo investigations is of utmost importance to identify molecules that can be formulated into pharmaceuticals in the future.

Cupressus sempervirens is a known traditional plant used to manage various ailments, including cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases. In this investigation, we aimed to explore the chemical profile of Cupressus sempervirens essential oil (CSEO) as well as their antibacterial mode of action. The volatile components were characterized using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results revealed remarkable antibacterial properties of EO derived from C. sempervirens. GC-MS analysis indicated that C. sempervirens EO characterized by δ-3-carene (47.72%), D-limonene (5.44%), β-pinene (4.36%), β-myrcene (4.02%). The oil exhibited significant inhibitory effects against a range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 13048, Bacillus cereus (Clinical isolate), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. These inhibitory effects surpassed those of conventional antibiotics. Furthermore, the EO demonstrated low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), indicating its bactericidal nature (MBC/MIC < 4.0). Time-kill kinetics analysis showed that CSEO was particularly effective at 2 × MIC doses, rapidly reduced viable count of B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa within 8 h. This suggests that the oil acts quickly and efficiently. The cell membrane permeability test further demonstrated the impact of CSEO on the relative conductivity of B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa, both at 2 × MIC concentrations. These observations suggest that EO disrupts the bacterial membrane, thereby influencing their growth and viability. Additionally, the cell membrane integrity test indicated that the addition of CSEO to bacterial cultures resulted in the significant release of proteins from the bacterial cells. This suggests that EO affects the structural integrity of the bacterial cells. Furthermore, the anti-biofilm assay confirmed the efficacy of CSEO as a potent anti-biofilm agent. It demonstrated the oil's ability to inhibit quorum sensing, a crucial mechanism for biofilm formation, and its competitive performance compared to the tested antibiotics.

Sweet orange (Citrus × sinensis (L.) Osbeck), lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook) are medicinal plants known by its culinary virtues. Their volatile oils have demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against a panel of microbial strains, including those implicated in food deterioration. In this exploratory investigation, we aimed to determine the antimicrobial formulation of sweet orange, lentisk and lemon eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) using the simplex–centroid mixture design approach coupled with a broth microdilution method. EOs were first extracted by hydrodistillation, and then their phytochemical profile was characterized using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). GC-MS analysis identified d-limonene (14.27%), careen-3 (14.11%), β-myrcene (12.53%) as main components of lentisk EOs, while lemon eucalyptus was dominated by citronellal (39.40%), β-citronellol (16.39%) and 1,8-cineole (9.22%). For sweet orange EOs, d-limonene (87.22%) was the principal compound. The three EOs exhibited promising antimicrobial potential against various microorganisms. Lemon eucalyptus and sweet orange EO showed high activity against most tested microorganisms, while lentisk EO exerted important effect against some microbes but only moderate activity against others. The optimization formulations of antimicrobial potential showed interesting synergistic effects between three EOs. The best combinations predicted on C. albicans, S. aureus, E. coli, S. enterica and B. cereus correspond to 44%/55%/0%, 54%/16%/28%, 43%/22%/33%, 45%/17%/36% and 36%/30%/32% of Citrus sinensis, Pistacia lentiscus and Eucalyptus citriodora EOs, respectively. These findings suggest that the combination of EOs could be used as natural food preservatives and antimicrobial agents. However, further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of action and efficacy of these EOs against different microorganisms.

Objectives: The aim of this work is to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antiobesity effects of Euphorbia resinifera extracts and investigate the phenolic constituents and the toxicity of these extracts.Methods : Phytochemical screening was performed to detect polyphenols and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by four methods (DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, and xanthine oxidase inhibition). The hypoglycemic effect was determined by the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro and via a starch tolerance study in normal rats. The antiobesity effect was estimated by in vitro inhibition of lipase.Results : Phytochemical screening revealed that the ethanolic extract was rich in polyphenols (99 ± 0.56 mg GEA/g extract) and tannins (55.22 ± 0.17 mg RE/g extract). Moreover, this extract showed higher antioxidant activity in different tests: the DPPH assay (IC50 = 53.81 ± 1.83 μg/mL), ABTS assay (111.4 ± 2.64 mg TE/g extract), H2O2 (IC50 = 98.15 ± 0.68 μg/mL), and xanthine oxidase (IC50 = 10.26 ± 0.6 μg/mL). With respect to hypoglycemic effect, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed IC50 values of 119.7 ± 2.15 μg/mL and 102 ± 3.63 μg/mL for α-amylase and 121.4 ± 1.88 and 56.6 ± 1.12 μg/mL for α-glucosidase, respectively, and the extracts lowered blood glucose levels in normal starch-loaded rats. Additionally, lipase inhibition was observed with aqueous (IC50 = 25.3 ± 1.53 μg/mL) and ethanolic (IC50 = 13.7 ± 3.03 μg/mL) extracts.Conclusion : These findings show the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hyperlipidemic effects of E. resinifera extracts, which should be investigated further to validate their medicinal uses and their pharmaceutical applications.

Mentha suaveolens, Lavandula stoechas, and Ammi visnaga are widely used in Moroccan folk medicine against several pathological disorders, including diabetes and infectious diseases. This work was designed to determine the chemical profile of M. suaveolens (MSEO), L. stoechas (LSEO), and A. visnaga (AVEO) essential oils and assess their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic effects. The volatile components of LSEO, AVEO, and MSEO were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The in vitro antidiabetic activity was assessed using α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, while DPPH, FRAP, and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods were used to determine the antioxidant capacity. The antimicrobial activities were investigated using disc diffusion and broth-microdilution assays. GC-MS investigation revealed that the main components were fenchone (29.77 %) and camphor (24.9 %) for LSEO, and linalool (38.29 %) for AVEO, while MSEO was mainly represented by piperitenone oxide (74.55 %). The results of the antimicrobial evaluation showed that all examined essential oils (EOs) had noticeable antimicrobial activity against both bacteria and yeast, especially Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis. The MIC, MBC, and MFC values were ranged from 0.015 % to 0.5 %. The MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios were less than or equal to 4.0 % (v/v), indicating their noticeable bactericidal and candidacidal efficacy. Moreover, the three EOs showed significant inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase (p

Diabetes is a global health concern with significant implications for individuals and healthcare systems. Finding effective and safe antidiabetic agents is crucial for the management of this chronic disease. Natural products have emerged as potential alternatives to allopathic drugs, offering a vast source of bioactive compounds. In this study, we conducted an assessment of the antidiabetic potential of Origanum compactum essential oil, employing a two-pronged approach, i.e., experimental investigation and computational docking analysis. The results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that thymol (54.6%), carvacrol (23.18%), and p-cymene (7.12%) were the major compounds. Experimental assessments revealed higher IC50 values (150 µg/mL for α-amylase; 120 µg/mL for α-glucosidase) of O. compactum oil, compared to the control drug acarbose. In silico analysis revealed the best binding affinity of the oil components (carvacrol and thymol) with human NADPH oxidase, while the lysosomal acid-α-glucosidase and salivary amylase also demonstrated good binding affinity towards carvacrol and thymol. Our findings highlight the translational potential of O. compactum oil-based treatment for diabetes mellitus and provide a basis for further studies on the modulation of NADPH oxidase, amylase inhibition, and α-glucosidase by antidiabetic natural products. However, further in vivo investigations are strongly required to confirm the results of in vitro antidiabetic effect of O. compactum EO.

Background: Screening new natural molecules with pharmacological and/or cosmetic properties remains a highly sought-after area of research. Moreover, essential oils and volatile compounds have recently garnered significant interest as natural substance candidates. In this study, the volatile components of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oils (PLEOs) isolated from the fruit and its main compounds, alpha-pinene, and limonene, are investigated for antioxidant, antidiabetic, and dermatoprotective activities. Methods: In vitro antioxidant activity was investigated using 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) methods. The antidiabetic and dermatoprotective effects were studied using enzyme inhibitory activities. Results: Antioxidant tests showed that PLEO has the best activity (ranging from 29.64 ± 3.04 to 73.80 ± 3.96 µg/mL) compared to its main selected molecules (ranging from 74 ± 3.72 to 107.23 ± 5.03 µg/mL). The α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays demonstrated that the elements tested have a promising antidiabetic potential with IC50values ranging from 78.03 ± 2.31 to 116.03 ± 7.42 µg/mL and 74.39 ± 3.08 to 112.35 ± 4.92 µg/mL for the α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays, respectively, compared to the standard drug. For the tyrosinase test, we found that the EOs (IC50 = 57.72 ± 2.86 µg/mL) followed by limonene (IC50 = 74.24 ± 2.06 µg/mL) and α-pinene (IC50 = 97.45 ± 5.22 µg/mL) all exhibited greater inhibitory effects than quercetin (IC50 = 246.90 ± 2.54 µg/mL). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the biological activities of PLEO, as well as its main compounds, make them promising candidates for the development of new strategies aimed at improving dermatoprotection and treating diseases associated with diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress.

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carriere is an endemic tree possessing valuable health benefits which has been widely used since time immemorial in international traditional pharmacopoeia. The aim of this exploratory investigation is to determine the volatile compounds of C. atlantica essential oils (CAEOs) and to examine their in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and dermatoprotective properties. In silico simulations, including molecular docking and pharmacokinetics absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET), and drug-likeness prediction were used to reveal the processes underlying in vitro biological properties. Gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) was used for the chemical screening of CAEO. The antioxidant activity of CAEO was investigated using four in vitro complementary techniques, including ABTS and DPPH radicals scavenging activity, ferric reductive power, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (β-carotene test). Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition and tyrosinase inhibitory assays were used for testing the anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective properties. GC-MS analysis indicated that the main components of CAEO are β-himachalene (28.99%), α-himachalene (14.43%), and longifolene (12.2%). An in vitro antimicrobial activity of CAEO was examined against eleven strains of Gram-positive bacteria (three strains), Gram-negative bacteria (four strains), and fungi (four strains). The results demonstrated high antibacterial and antifungal activity against ten of them (>15 mm zone of inhibition) using the disc-diffusion assay. The microdilution test showed that the lowest values of MIC and MBC were recorded with the Gram-positive bacteria in particular, which ranged from 0.0625 to 0.25 % v/v for MIC and from 0.5 to 0.125 % v/v for MBC. The MIC and MFC of the fungal strains ranged from 0.5 to 4.0% (MIC) and 0.5 to 8.0% v/v (MFC). According to the MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios, CAEO has bactericidal and fungicidal activity. The results of the in vitro antioxidant assays revealed that CAEO possesses remarkable antioxidant activity. The inhibitory effects on 5-LOX and tyrosinase enzymes was also significant (p < 0.05). ADMET investigation suggests that the main compounds of CAEO possess favorable pharmacokinetic properties. These findings provide scientific validation of the traditional uses of this plant and suggest its potential application as natural drugs.

Background: Lipase is one of the most important enzymes produced from microbial fermentation. Agricultural wastes are a good source of enzyme production because they are cost-effective and production rates are also higher. Method: In this study, eight lignolitic substrates were screened for lipase production. Results: Out of these substrates, guava leaves showed maximum activity of 9.1 U/mL from Aspergillus niger by using the solid-state fermentation method. Various factors such as temperature, pH, incubation period, moisture content, inoculum size, and substrate size that influence the growth of fungi were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), and then characterization was performed. When all physical and nutritional parameters were optimized by RSM, the maximum lipase activity obtained was 12.52 U/mL after 4 days of incubation, at pH 8, 40 °C temperature, 3 mL inoculum size, 20% moisture content, and 6 g substrate concentration. The enzyme was partially purified through 70% ammonium sulfate precipitation. After purification, it showed 34.291 U/mg enzyme activity, increasing the purification fold to 1.3. The enzyme was then further purified by dialysis, and the purification fold increased to 1.83 having enzyme activity of 48.03 U/mg. Furthermore, activity was increased to 132.72 U/mg after column chromatography. A purification fold of 5.07 was obtained after all purification steps.

This work evaluated in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties of Salvia officinalis (S. officinalis) and Mentha suaveolens (M. suaveolens) essential oils (EO). The EOs were extracted, and their chemical composition was determined using GC-MS analysis. The in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial activities of S. officinalis and M. suaveolens EO were shown to be remarkable. Furthermore, S. officinalis EO demonstrated better antioxidant findings (using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP test) than M. suaveolens EO (p

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Ocimum basilicum L., as well as to evaluate the antibacterial, antidiabetic, dermatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, and the EOs and aqueous extracts of O. basilicum. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against bacterial strains, Gram-positive and Gram-negative, using the well diffusion and microdilution methods, whereas the antidiabetic activity was assessed in vitro using two enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. On the other hand, the dermatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by testing tyrosinase and lipoxygenase inhibition activity, respectively. The results showed that the chemical composition of O. basilicum EO (OBEO) is dominated by methyl chavicol (86%) and trans-anethol (8%). OBEO exhibited significant antibacterial effects against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, demonstrated by considerable diameters of the inhibition zones and lower MIC and MBC values. In addition, OBEO exhibited significant inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 = 50.51 ± 0.32 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 39.84 ± 1.2 μg/mL). Concerning the anti-inflammatory activity, OBEO significantly inhibited lipoxygenase activity (IC50 = 18.28 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC50 = 24.8 ± 0.01 μg/mL). Moreover, tyrosinase was considerably inhibited by OBEO (IC50 = 68.58 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC50 = 118.37 ± 0.05 μg/mL). The toxicological investigations revealed the safety of O. basilicum in acute and chronic toxicity. The finding of in silico analysis showed that methyl chavicol and trans-anethole (main compounds of OBEO) validate the pharmacokinetics of these compounds and decipher some antibacterial targets.

The objectives of this work were to determine the phytochemical composition and antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-acetylcholinesterase properties of Arbutus unedo L. and Laurus nobilis L. EOs. The antioxidant effects were estimated using four complementary methods. In addition, the anti-diabetic activity was assessed by targeting three carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, namely α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase. The anti-inflammatory and anti-acetylcholinesterase effects were evaluated by testing the inhibitory potential of both plants on lipo-oxygenase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), respectively. The antimicrobial activity of these oils was evaluated using disc-diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) tests. The chemical composition of L. nobilis essential oil (EO) was dominated by eucalyptol (36.40%), followed by α-terpineole (13.05%), α-terpinyl acetate (10.61%), linalool (10.34%), and northujane (5.74%). The main volatile compounds of A. unedo EOs were decenal (13.47%), α-terpineol (7.8%), and palmitic acid (6.00%). L. nobilis and A. unedo EOs inhibited α-amylase with IC50 values of 42.51 ± 0.012 and 102 ± 0.06 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, both oils inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase (IC50 = 1.347 ± 0.021 µg/mL and IC50 = 76 ± 0.021 µg/mL) and lipase (IC50 = 21.23 ± 0.021 µg/mL and IC50 = 97.018 ± 0.012 µg/mL, respectively). In addition, L. nobilis EO showed an anti-AChE activity (IC50 = 89.44 ± 0.07 µg/mL) higher than that of A. unedo EO (IC50 = 378.57 ± 0.05 µg/mL). Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro assays showed that L. nobilis significantly inhibits (IC50 = 48.31 ± 0.07 μg/mL) 5-lipoxygenase compared to A. unedo (IC50 = 86.14 ± 0.05 μg/mL). This was confirmed in vivo via a notable inhibition of inflammation recorded after 6 h of treatment in both plants at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The microbiological results revealed that EOs from both plants inhibited the growth of all tested organisms except P. aeruginosa, with the highest antimicrobial effect for L. nobilis. The results of these tests showed that these two plants possess remarkable biological and pharmacological properties, explaining their medicinal effects and suggesting them as promising sources of natural drugs.

The objective of this work is to explore the phytochemical profile of Mentha piperita essential oils (MPEO) collected from two different Moroccan regions using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS) and to investigate their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and, antimicrobial effects using in vivo and in vitro assays. The chemical constituent of MPEO from the Azrou zone is dominated by carvone (70.25%), while MPEO from the Ouazzane zone is rich in Menthol (43.32%) and Menthone (29.4%). MPEO from Ouezzane showed higher antioxidant activity than EO from Azrou. Nevertheless, EO from Ouezzane considerably inhibited 5-Lipoxygenase (IC50 = 11.64 ± 0.02 µg/mL) compared to EO from Azro (IC50 = 23.84 ± 0.03 µg/mL). Both EOs from Azrou and Ouazzane inhibited the α-amylase activity in vitro, with IC50 values of 131.62 ± 0.01 µg/mL and 91.64 ± 0.03 µg/mL, respectively. The EOs were also tested for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The discdiffusion test revealed that MPEOs from both regions have significant antibacterial efficacy, and MPEOs from the north region showed the highest effect. The gram-positive bacteria were the most susceptible organisms. The MIC concentrations were in the range of 0.05 to 6.25 mg/mL, and the MBC concentrations were within 0.05–25.0 mg/mL. The MBC/MIC index indicated that MPEO has strong bactericidal effects.

The purposes of this investigatory study were to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Origanum compactum from two Moroccan regions (Boulemane and Taounate), as well as the evaluation of their biological effects. Determining EOs’ chemical composition was performed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of EOs was evaluated using free radical scavenging ability (DPPH method), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed in vitro using the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition test and in vivo using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Finally, the antibacterial effect was evaluated against several strains using the disk-diffusion assay and the micro-dilution method. The chemical constituent of O. compactum EO (OCEO) from the Boulemane zone is dominated by carvacrol (45.80%), thymol (18.86%), and α-pinene (13.43%). However, OCEO from the Taounate zone is rich in 3-carene (19.56%), thymol (12.98%), and o-cymene (11.16%). OCEO from Taounate showed higher antioxidant activity than EO from Boulemane. Nevertheless, EO from Boulemane considerably inhibited 5-LOX (IC50 = 0.68 ± 0.02 µg/mL) compared to EO from Taounate (IC50 = 1.33 ± 0.01 µg/mL). A similar result was obtained for tyrosinase inhibition with Boulemane EO and Taounate EO, which gave IC50s of 27.51 ± 0.03 μg/mL and 41.83 ± 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. The in vivo anti-inflammatory test showed promising effects; both EOs inhibit and reduce inflammation in mice. For antibacterial activity, both EOs were found to be significantly active against all strains tested in the disk-diffusion test, but O. compactum EO from the Boulemane region showed the highest activity. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) for O. compactum EO from the Boulemane region ranged from 0.06 to 0.25% (v/v) and from 0.15 to 0.21% (v/v) for O. compactum from the Taounate region. The MBC/MIC index revealed that both EOs exhibited remarkable bactericidal effects.

The present study aimed to evaluate the acute and subacute toxicity profiles of Erodium guttatum extracts in mice using the methods described in the guidelines of the OECD. In the acute toxicity study, the LD50 value was greater than 2000 mg/kg. The subacute toxicity study of E. guttatum extracts showed no significant changes in body or organ weights. The administration of E. guttatum extracts to mice at a dose of 200 mg/kg led to an increase in white blood cells, platelets and hemoglobin. Moreover, the aqueous extract of E. guttatum only decreased liver aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) levels at a dose of 200 mg/kg, and creatinine and urea levels did not show any significant alterations compared to the control group. Our results showed that the extracts of E. guttatum caused a slight increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and triglycerides. The histological study showed that mice treated with E. guttatum extracts experienced some histopathological changes in the liver, particularly with the methanolic extract, and slight changes in the kidneys and pancreas. Regarding the renal profile, no toxicity was observed. These results provide basic information on the toxicological profile of E. guttatum used in traditional medicine.

Throughout history, honey has been used to treat various diseases. The present work examined and assessed the in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of Moroccan thyme honey and its association with essential oils from three selected plants: Origanum vulgare L.; Mentha spicata L.; Eucalyptus globulus L. The chemical composition of the essential oils was studied, and preliminary toxicity, in vitro anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial tests were conducted. Then the anti-inflammatory effect was determined by applying carrageenan and an experimental trauma-induced paw edema test in rats. The essential oils were rich in phytochemicals and showed significant antibacterial activity against four selected ATCC bacterial strains. The results revealed the significant anti-inflammatory potential of honey and mixtures with essential oils and indicated higher efficiency of mixtures compared to honey alone. It can be concluded that the mixtures of honey and essential oils have advantageous anti-inflammatory effects and may be used for treating different types of inflammation in humans after certain clinical trials.

This exploratory investigation aimed to determine the chemical composition and evaluate some biological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities, of Matricaria chamomilla L. essential oils (EOs). EOs of M. chamomilla were obtained by hydrodistillation and phytochemical screening was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activities were tested against different pathogenic strains of microorganisms by using disc diffusion assay, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. The antidiabetic activity was performed in vitro using the enzyme inhibition test. The antioxidant activity of EOs was tested using the free radical scavenging ability (DPPH method), ferrous ion chelating (FIC) ability, and β-carotene bleaching assay. The anti-inflammatory effects were tested in vivo using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method and in vitro using the inhibition of the lipoxygenase test. The analysis of the phytochemical composition by GC-MS revealed that camphor (16.42%) was the major compound of EOs, followed by 3-carene (9.95%), β-myrcene (8.01%), and chamazulene (6.54%). MCEO, honey, and their mixture exhibited antioxidant activity against the DPPH assay (IC50 ranging from 533.89 ± 15.05 µg/mL to 1945.38 ± 12.71 µg/mL). The mixture exhibited the best radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 of 533.89 ± 15.05 µg/mL. As antidiabetic effect, EO presented the best values against α-glucosidase (265.57 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and α-amylase (121.44 ± 0.05 μg/mL). The EOs and honey mixture at a dose of 100 mg/kg exhibited a high anti-inflammatory effect, with 63.75% edema inhibition after 3 h. The impact of EOs on the studied species showed an excellent antimicrobial (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (22.97 ± 0.16 mm)), antifungal (Aspergillus niger (18.13 ± 0.18 mm)) and anti-yeast (Candida albicans (21.07 ± 0.24 mm) effect against all the tested strains. The results obtained indicate that the EOs of M. chamomilla could be a potential drug target against diabetes, inflammation and microbial infections; however, further investigations to assess their bioactive molecules individually and in combination are greatly required.

Eucalyptus globulus is a plant widely used by the world population, including Morocco, in the treatment of several pathologies. The aim of this work is to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, dermatoprotective, and antimicrobial effects of essential oil and honey from E. globulus, as well as their combination. Chemical composition was determined by GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by three tests, namely, DPPH, reducing power, and the β-carotene/linoleic acid assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in vitro (5-lipoxygenase inhibition) and in vivo (carrageenan-induced paw edema model), while the dermatoprotective activity was tested in vitro (tyrosinase inhibition). Moreover, the antibacterial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and microdilution methods. The results showed that eucalyptol presents the main compound of the essential oil of E. globulus (90.14%). The mixture of essential oil with honey showed the best antioxidant effects for all the tests used (0.07 < IC50 < 0.19 mg/mL), while the essential oil was the most active against tyrosinase (IC50 = 38.21 ± 0.13 μg/mL) and 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 0.88 ± 0.01 μg/mL), which corroborated the in vivo test. Additionally, the essential oil showed the best bactericidal effects against all strains tested, with inhibition diameter values ranging from 12.8 to 21.6 mm. The findings of this work showed that the combination of the essential oil with honey showed important results in terms of biological activity, but the determination of the underlying mechanisms of action remains a major prospect to be determined.

Salvia officinalis is a medicinal plant used to treat some diseases, including microbial infections and diabetes. Different studies showed the biological and pharmacological properties of this species. The aim of this study was the determination of the chemical compounds of S. officinalis essential oils and the investigation of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The chemical compounds of S. officinalis were determined by GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, and FRAP assays. The in vitro antidiabetic effect was evaluated by the inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase activities, and the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the 5-lipoxygenase assay. Moreover, antibacterial activity was assessed against six bacterial strains using agar well diffusion assay and microdilution method. The main compounds in essential oils of S. officinalis at three phenological stages were naphthalenone, camphor, 1.8-cineole, and α-thujone. The full flowering stage essential oil showed the best antioxidant activity with different IC50 values according to the used tests. This oil also exhibited important inhibitory effects at the full flowering stage against α-amylase (IC50 = 69.23 ± 0.1 μg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 22.24 ± 0.07 μg/mL), and lipase (IC50 = 37.3 ± 0.03 μg/mL). The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory effect was the best at the full flowering stage (IC50 = 9.24 ± 0.03 μg/mL). The results of the antibacterial evaluation revealed that, at three seasonal periods, S. officinalis essential oil demonstrated strong antibacterial activity. Although the full flowering stage had the best antibacterial activity, there were no significant differences between the three stages. Additionally, the essential oils showed bactericidal effects on Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium, respectively. The findings of this work showed remarkably that S. officinalis synthesizes essential oils according to different developmental stages. Moreover, it has exhibited interesting biological and pharmacological properties justifying its medicinal effects and suggesting it as a very important source of natural drugs.

The aim of this work was the determination of Pelargonium graveolens (aerial parts) volatile compounds at three developmental stages and the evaluation of their antioxidant, antidiabetic, dermaprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. The aerial parts of Pelargonium graveolens were collected at three stages, namely the vegetative, beginning, and full flowering. Pelargonium graveolens essential oils were extracted from the dried materials of these aerial parts by hydrodistillation. The volatiles were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry GC-MS, and the antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, and FRAP assays. The in vitro antidiabetic effect was evaluated by the inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase enzymes, while the antibacterial activity was assessed against six bacterial strains using an agar well diffusion assay and a microdilution method. The main constituents were menthol, menthene, eremophilene, isoborneol, isogeraniol, α-pinene, linalyl acetate, and 3-carene, with quantitative differences at the three phenological stages. The essential oil at the full flowering stage showed the best antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 83.26 ± 0.01, 116.42 ± 0.07, 132.25 ± 0.11, and 48.67 ± 0.04 μg/mL for DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and H2O2 assays, respectively. This oil also exhibited significant effects against α-amylase (IC50 = 43.33 ± 0.01 μg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC50 = 19.04 ± 0.01 μg/mL), lipase (IC50 = 24.33 ± 0.05 μg/mL), 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 39.31 ± 0.01 μg/mL), and tyrosinase (IC50 = 124.49 ± 0.07 μg/mL). The essential oil extracted at the full flowering stage showed the best antibacterial effect against a panel of microorganisms with diameter inhibition zones ranging between 11.00 ± 0.17 mm and 17.30 ± 0.17 mm and MIC values from 0.25% to 2% v/v. Overall, the results presented here suggest that the full flowering stage is the best optimal harvest time of Pelargonium graveolens for food and pharmaceutical applications.

The aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial activities of Moroccan and Italian Crocus sativus (L.) stigmas extracts. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay, and the results showed that the Moroccan extract has a powerful antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 0.32 ± 0.059 μg/mL compared to the Italian extract (IC50 of 3.14 ± 0.021 μg/mL). Additionally, the antidiabetic activity was evaluated by using alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition assay, and both extracts showed significant antidiabetic activity. However, the antibacterial activity was evaluated by the disc diffusion method to determine the inhibitory diameters and microplate dilutions method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. Our findings revealed that both Moroccan and Italian extracts were more effective against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. From this study, we can conclude that the studied extracts of C. sativus are rich in natural compounds and could have a broad application in the pharmaceutical, food, and medical fields.

Berry-derived polyphenols are bioactive compounds synthesized and secreted by several berry fruits. These polyphenols feature a diversity of chemical compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Here, we report the beneficial health effects of berry-derived polyphenols and their therapeutical application on gut-microbiota-related diseases, including inflammation and cancer. Pharmacokinetic investigations have confirmed the absorption, availability, and metabolism of berry-derived polyphenols. In vitro and in vivo tests, as well as clinical trials, showed that berry-derived polyphenols can positively modulate the gut microbiota, inhibiting inflammation and cancer development. Indeed, these compounds inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and also promote beneficial bacteria. Moreover, berry-derived polyphenols exhibit therapeutic effects against different gut-microbiota-related disorders such as inflammation, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Moreover, these polyphenols can manage the inflammation via various mechanisms, in particular the inhibition of the transcriptional factor Nf-κB. Berry-derived polyphenols have also shown remarkable effects on different types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, esophageal, and prostate cancer. Moreover, certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes and atherosclerosis were also managed by berry-derived polyphenols through different mechanisms. These data showed that polyphenols from berries are a promising source of bioactive compounds capable of modulating the intestinal microbiota, and therefore managing cancer and associated metabolic diseases. However, further investigations should be carried out to determine the mechanisms of action of berry-derived polyphenol bioactive compounds to validate their safety and examinate their clinical uses.

Wound healing consists of several continuous phases involving various cells and chemical intermediates. As a rich source of nutrition elements, honey has proved to have potential benefits in the treatment of various diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the healing effect of a honey mixture with selected essential oils on chemical and thermal wound models in rabbits. Dressing mixtures of Thymus vulgaris honey with three essential oils (Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris) were prepared and applied daily in the treatment groups. These essential oils were rich in phytochemicals and had significant antibacterial activity against four selected ATCC bacterial strains. Madecasol ointment was used as a standard control. The healing effect of the mixtures was evaluated by measuring wound surface area and comparing healing time. The results showed that the healing rate in the treatment groups was significantly higher than that of the untreated group and standard group. The best healing effect for burns was seen in the mixture of honey and Thymus vulgaris essential oil, which had wound closure rates of 85.21% and 82.14% in thermal- and chemical-induced burns, respectively, and showed the shortest healing time (14 days) in comparison to other groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that honey mixtures have significant beneficial effects on skin wound healing and, thus, they may be used as a healing agent in different types of wounds in humans after specific clinical trials.

Phytopharmaceuticals play an essential role in medicine, since the need to investigate highly effective and safe drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus disease remains a significant challenge for modern medicine. Arbutus unedo L. root has various therapeutic properties, and has been used widely in the traditional medicine as an antidiabetic agent. The current study aimed to isolate the pharmacologically active compound from A. unedo roots using accelerated solvent extraction technology, to determine its chemical structure using different instrumental analytical methods, and also to evaluate the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The roots of A. unedo were exhaustively extracted by high-pressure static extraction using the Zippertex® technology (Dionex-ASE, Paris, France), and the extract was mixed with XAD-16 resin to reach quantifiable amounts of active compounds which were identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), 1H NMR (300 MHz), and 13C NMR. The antidiabetic activity of the isolated compound was evaluated using the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. The active compound was isolated, and its structure was identified as catechin using instrumental analysis.The results revealed that the isolated compound has potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 87.55 ± 2.23 μg/mL greater than acarbose. This was used as a positive control, which has an IC50 value of 199.53 ± 1.12 μg/mL. According to the results achieved, the roots of A. unedo were considered the best source of catechin and the Zippertex® technology method of extraction is the best method for isolation of this therapeutic active compound. In addition, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity results confirmed the traditional use of A. unedo roots as an antidiabetic agent. Future clinical trials and investigations of antidiabetic and other pharmacological effects such as anticancer are required.