article · Antibiotics
Researchers analysed the chemical composition and therapeutic properties of essential oil extracted from Ptychotis verticillata, a medicinal plant native to Eastern Morocco locally known as Nunkha. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry showed that the oil is primarily composed of carvacrol, D-limonene, gamma-terpinene, m-cymene, and thymol. Laboratory testing demonstrated that the oil possesses significant antioxidant capacity through free-radical scavenging and ferric reducing power. It also exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, proving particularly effective against bacterial strains including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whilst certain fungal species showed greater resilience. Computational evaluations further indicated favourable drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic behaviour, and potential safety profiles for the primary chemical constituents, providing scientific support for the traditional medicinal use of the plant.
Bacterial resistance and oxidative stress drive demand for new therapeutic agents derived from natural sources. By verifying the biological activity of a plant long used in Moroccan traditional medicine, this work provides scientific evidence for its antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities. These findings offer an initial foundation for identifying bioactive compounds that could inform future drug discovery and therapeutic interventions.
This work points to prospective applications in pharmaceutical formulation, drug discovery, and natural antimicrobial development. The findings are relevant to pharmaceutical researchers and biotechnology development teams seeking active compounds against bacterial pathogens. However, the work sits at an early laboratory stage, having been verified only through in vitro assays and computer modelling, meaning substantial preclinical testing, in vivo validation, and safety trials remain necessary before commercial use.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Ptychotis verticillata Duby, referred to as Nûnkha in the local language, is a medicinal plant that is native to Morocco. This particular plant is a member of the Apiaceae family and has a longstanding history in traditional medicine and has been utilized for therapeutic purposes by practitioners for generations. The goal of this research is to uncover the phytochemical makeup of the essential oil extracted from P. verticillata, which is indigenous to the Touissite region in Eastern Morocco. The extraction of the essential oil of P. verticillata (PVEO) was accomplished through the use of hydro-distillation via a Clevenger apparatus. The chemical profile of the essential oil was then determined through analysis utilizing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The study findings indicated that the essential oil of P. verticillata is composed primarily of Carvacrol (37.05%), D-Limonene (22.97%), γ-Terpinene (15.97%), m-Cymene (12.14%) and Thymol (8.49%). The in vitro antioxidant potential of PVEO was evaluated using two methods: the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical trapping assay and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. The data demonstrated considerable radical scavenging and relative antioxidative power. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most susceptible bacterial strains tested, while Geotrichum candidum, Candida albicans, and Rhodotorula glutinis were the most resilient fungi strains. PVEO had broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties. To elucidate the antioxidative and antibacterial characteristics of the identified molecules, we applied the methodology of molecular docking, a computational approach that forecasts the binding of a small molecule to a protein. Additionally, we utilized the Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) algorithm; Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME); and Pro-Tox II (to predict the toxicity in silico) tests to demonstrate PVEO’s identified compounds’ drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic properties, the anticipated safety features after ingestion, and the potential pharmacological activity. Finally, our findings scientifically confirm the ethnomedicinal usage and usefulness of this plant, which may be a promising source for future pharmaceutical development.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12040655
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
