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The current study was aimed to evaluate some parts of Moluccella laevis viz., phytochemical and antibacterial. Regarding to GC/MS of the saponifiable matters of petroleum ether fraction of total ethanolic extract of the aerial parts (TEE), the main recognized unsaturated fatty acids were methyl linolenate (25.58%) and methyl linoleate (15.87%). Whereas, the major saturated fatty acids were, palmitic (25.4%) followed by stearic acid (10.48). A comparative analysis of the volatile constituents of M. laevis flowers and leaves was performed by Head Space GC/MS. The volatile mixtures of both plant parts displayed comparable amounts of hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds, with a noticeable greater contribution of the latter in the leaves.Besides, a-pinene (40.84%), chrysanthenyl acetate (17.89%) and isobornyl acetate (10.64%), were identified as the major volatile components in the flowers. While, isobornyl acetate (35.09%) was characterized as the major constituent followed by, 2-methyl-4-butanolide (22.12%), 1-heptene oxide (7.47%) and benzoic acid, methyl ester (4.05%) of the volatile oil composition of the leaves. Moreover, this study included the antibacterial activity of TEE and its different fractions against Gram positive and negative bacteria. TEE exhibited MIC values of 326 476, and 541 µg/mL against E. coli, K. pneumonia and P. aeruginosa, respectively, while the aqueous fraction showed MICs of 410, 633, 748 and 10713 µg/mL against P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. Finally, the EtOAc fraction displayed MICs 449, 541 and 1085 µg/mL against K. pneumonia, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, respectively.

Lamiaceae (Labiatae) or the mint family is one of the most important families containing volatile oil. It is one of the largest plant families including 236 genera and more than 7,000 species. By reviewing the current available literature (2002-2018), many classes of secondary metabolites of this family were determined, viz., flavonoids (113 compounds), fatty derivatives (26 compounds) and sterols (15 compounds). Moreover, plants belonging to this family have been shown many biological activities such as antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic, cardiovascular, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antispasmodic, antiepileptic, anti-anxiety and anti-angiogenic. The most chemically investigated genus is Leonurus, while, Lavandula latifolia, Lamium garganicum, Lamium purpureum, Melissa officinalis and Moluccella laevis need more phytochemical attention. Regarding the biological investigation, Melissa officinalis was the most investigated species. Due to limited phytochemical and biological studies on many genera of the above family, we were encouraged to perform this review to help the researchers and orient them to carry out extensive studies on these plants to discover new or novel natural products.