Summary Introduction: Antimicrobials are becoming less effective due to growing antimicrobial resistance; thus, finding alternatives is crucial. Medicinal plants provide valuable sources of antimicrobial compounds. In traditional medicine, Sida cordifolia is employed to treat inflammation, wounds, and skin infections. Objective: To identify the bioactive compounds in S. cordifolia leaf extracts and evaluate their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Methods: Methanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether leaf extracts were prepared using a maceration process. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic leaf extract was performed using GC-MS. Results: Methanolic extracts showed the highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The MICs of methanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether extracts were 50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, and 100 mg/ml, respectively. The GC-MS analysis results revealed that long-chain fatty acids are the major compounds. Conclusion: The findings support the traditional use of S. cordifolia as an antimicrobial agent.
Summary Introduction: Mangroves are regarded as ‘nature’s medicine cabinet’ since they thrive in stressful environments, which enables the production of unique bioactive compounds that are not common in terrestrial plants. Objectives: We present a preliminary investigation on the antimicrobial properties and phytochemical profiling of Avicennia germinans leaves found in two distinct locations along the Guyana coastline. Methods: Using ethanol, methanol, and dichloromethane as extraction solvents, we utilised disk diffusion assays (at four concentrations) and broth macrodilution assays (at five two-fold dilutions) to investigate their antimicrobial efficacy against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Candida albicans. Additionally, we employed qualitative testing methods to generate a preliminary phytochemical profile for each leaf extract. Results: Our findings highlight the influence of location and solvent type on the antimicrobial performance of each leaf extract (p<0.05). Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans showed some resistance to the extracts (<15 mm) while Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli showcased some susceptibility at the 75% and 100% concentrations (>35 mm). Overall, the polar coastline extracts showcased superiority over the riverine extracts attributable to the presence of diverse phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, coumarins etc. Conclusion: While further research is needed to develop testing across multiple microbial strains, produce detailed metabolic profiles, and refine in vivo methods, our findings provide some evidence that mangroves have potential as natural antimicrobial treatments, with relevance to the rising concern of antimicrobial resistance in vulnerable populations. Broader exploration of mangrove-derived treatments may contribute to developing affordable, natural medicinal treatments for healthcare systems.
Introduction: Our proposal is to use markers to interpret the GC profiles of essential oils (volatile fraction) that have been isolated from commercial flower raw materials. Our focus is on volatiles that have been associated with anti-inflammatory properties in the literature. Objective: The objective is to create and evaluate a 15-marker panel and two indices for the preliminary comparison of essential-oil profiles and producer-to-producer variability. Methods: Twenty-nine samples (10 medicinal plant species) were hydro-distilled and analysed using GC–MS and GC–FID. The marker sum (% of the volatile profile) and marker load (oil yield × marker sum) were calculated; heatmap and PCA were applied. Results: The oil yield ranged from 0.019 to 2.150% (v/w), with the highest value reported in Lavandula angustifolia flowers (1.470–2.150% v/w). The marker sum was highest in meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria; 82.01–84.72%), while the marker load was highest in lavender and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Samples were separated using heatmap/PCA, which also revealed inter-producer differences within the selected species. Conclusions: The indices that have been proposed facilitate the rapid screening and comparison of essential-oil profiles (volatile fraction) that have been obtained from commercial flower raw materials in relation to marker-defined motifs of potential anti-inflammatory relevance.
Summary The utilization of Algerian medicinal plants as a source of curative drugs for the treatment of various diseases has garnered growing attention in the past decade. The aim of this review was to compile data from prior research on the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of essential oils extracted from a variety of Algerian medicinal plants in various climatic zones. A thorough literature review was conducted to provide a summary of the most recent research on the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of essential oils extracted from Algerian medicinal plants. In order to identify pertinent publications, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and ScienceDirect were queried. This review examines in vitro studies published between 2014 and 2025 and reported on the key terms of Algerian essential oils with antibacterial activity. According to the analysis, the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families were the most potent, while Helihrysum italicum and Carlina hispanica exhibited MIC values that were significantly lower (approximately 1 g/ml) than those previously reported. Other highly active species, including Artemisia campestris, Erygium tricuspidatum, and several Lamiaceae members, including Salvia chudaei, Thymus algeriensis, and Mentha pulegium were rich in camphor and pulegone as the major compounds. The intermediate activity in Apiaceae species was consistent with profiles primarily dominated by thymol and perillaldehyde. The strongest antimicrobial activity was observed in oils from arid and steppe climates, supporting the hypothesis that environmental stress stimulates the biosynthesis of defensive volatile compounds. These results underscore the fact that Algerian species that have adapted to harsh climates are a valuable source of antimicrobial agents and emphasize the combined effects of the chemical profile and environment on EOs bioactivity.
Summary The prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are a critical global public health concern. The search for novel therapeutic strategies, including the development of new, innovative, effective, and safe medicinal products, as well as the elucidation of their mechanisms of action, represents a rapidly expanding area of scientific research. A promising medicinal plant that has generated renewed therapeutic interest recently is rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), which exhibits a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. This review offers a concise overview of the current state of knowledge as it pertains to the neuroprotective potential of rosemary and its bioactive constituents, which include rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, ursolic acid, carnosol, as well as essential oil fractions and aqueous-ethanolic and ethanolic extracts. These effects are characterized by the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, and the elevation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and synaptic markers, as well as the inhibition of cholinesterases at the molecular, biochemical, and cellular levels. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that R. officinalis can reverse the harmful effects of β-amyloid, reduce the amnesic effects caused by scopolamine, and exhibit cytoprotective activity against a variety of neurotoxic substances of endogenous or environmental origin (xenobiotics), including paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride), acrylamide (ACR), aluminum chloride, bisphenol, lipopolysaccharides (LPS; e.g. from Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli), and chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate pesticide). Analysis of the available clinical studies has also shown that administering rosemary improves a variety of memory types. The current state of knowledge was analysed using literature from PubMed, SCOPUS, and ScienceDirect (Elsevier).
