Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC. as a Potential Source of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anti-Enzymatic Bioactive Molecules: Phytochemical Constituents, In Vitro and In Silico Pharmacological Analysis

Plants with medicinal benefits are a crucial source of compounds for developing drugs. This study was designed to determine the chemical composition, antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-enzymatic activities of Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC. We also reported the molecular interaction between identified molecules and several receptors associated with antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. A total of seventeen and thirteen compounds were identified in aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. incisa, respectively. The methanolic extract yielded a higher total content of polyphenols and flavonoids of about 84.80 ± 2.8 mg GAE/g and 28.30 ± 1.2 mg QE/g, respectively. Significant antibacterial activity was recorded for both extracts, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 30 to 36 µg/mL, and the result was comparable to the reference antibiotic control. Antibiofilm assays revealed that both extracts were able to reduce the attachment of bacterial cells to 96-well plates, but the highest antibiofilm activity was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus. The methanolic extract also showed anti-enzymatic potency and high antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by all assays used, including DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS. These results were further validated by in silico approaches, particularly the molecular interaction of the identified compounds with the targeted receptors. These findings present P. incisa as a significant source of antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-enzymatic molecules.

Essential Oils of Tunisian Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast.: Chemical and Biological Insights

Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. is native to the Mediterranean area and belongs to Cupressaceae family. The aim of this study were: i) to determine the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) of T. articulata obtained from its stems, leaves, and cones using GC coupled to GC/MS; II) to evaluate their antioxidant activity using non enzymatic (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) and enzymatic methods (catalase activity); III) to evaluated their anti-enzymatic activity on enzyme involved in metabolism and Central Nervous System using spectrophotometric assays. α-Pinene, limonene, and bornyl acetate were the main components of the three EOs. Moreover, the EO from cones showed the best antioxidant activity and was also to increase of catalase activity. All EOs were active against α-amylase in similar way; the EO leaves was more active against α-glucosidase and the EO from cones was more active against cholinesterase. The EOs demonstrated significant inhibition of the mature biofilm of Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains. This highlight the potential uses of T. articulata EOs in the fields of health and agriculture.

Fatty Acid Profiles and Biological Activities of the Vegetable Oils of Argania spinosa, Pinus halepensis and Pistacia atlantica Grown in Tunisia: A Preliminary Study

Several foods are used in both the nutraceutical and health sectors; vegetable oils, for example, can prevent the onset of numerous diseases. The properties of these oils are related to their chemical composition and primarily to the presence of fatty acids. The present work aimed to determine the chemical profiles of Argania spinosa, Pinus halepensis, and Pistacia altantica oils, used in traditional Tunisian foods, and to evaluate some biological properties. We evaluated their antioxidant, anti-enzymatic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Linoleic acid was the main component of the three oils. P. atlantica oil showed more significant inhibitory activity against the enzymes studied than A. spinosa and P. halepensis. All three oils showed similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, A. spinosa and P. halepensis oils showed antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa, with 30-40% inhibition. These results focus on the possible use of these oils in the nutraceutical and healthcare sectors.