Lichens are symbiotic organisms with unique secondary metabolism. Various metabolites from lichens have shown antimicrobial activity. Nevertheless, very few studies have investigated the antimicrobial potential of the volatile compounds they produce. This study investigates the chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of volatile compounds from Pseudevernia furfuracea collected in two regions of Morocco. Hydrodistillation was used to obtain volatile compounds from samples collected in the High Atlas and Middle Atlas. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified phenolic cyclic compounds as the primary constituents, with atraric acid and chloroatranol being the most abundant. Additionally, eight compounds were detected in lichens for the first time. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds was assessed using disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Both samples demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects against multidrug-resistant human bacteria, reference microorganisms, fish pathogens, and Candida albicans, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1000 µg/mL to 31.25 µg/mL. This study provides the first report on the volatile compounds from Pseudevernia furfuracea and their antimicrobial effects, particularly against fish pathogens, suggesting their potential as novel antimicrobial agents for human and veterinary use. Further research is warranted to explore these findings in more detail.

The essential oil of Senecio anteuphorbium L (Kleinia anteuphorbium L.) was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 31 compounds were identified, with the dominant compounds being 1-nonene (53.7%), α-pinene (6%), 1-octene (5.9%), luguloxide (5.5%), and selina-4,11-diene (4.6%). The essential oil shows herbicidal activity against Phalaris canariensis, inhibiting seed germination and seedling growth at all concentrations tested (1-4 µL/mL). It also exhibits antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 6.9 and 13.8 µL/mL, respectively. These results suggest that the essential oil of S. anteuphorbium has the potential to be used as a natural herbicidal and antimicrobial agent. This work aims to carry out phytochemical investigations on the herbicide properties of this natural product.

Crocus sativus L. (saffron), a sterile geophyte of the Iridaceae family, has been traditionally used in culinary and medicinal practices and is currently gaining attention as a source of pharmacologically active metabolites. The main bioactive compounds (BACs) of saffron, crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal, are associated with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and antidiabetic properties, among others. This review aims to comprehensively and critically summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence for saffron-derived BACs in the context of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases. A literature search of the main scientific databases was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles on neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus, with additional topics on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, safety, and toxicity. The mechanistic findings include anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and neuroprotective effects, mediated by activation of the Nrf2 pathway and inhibition of NF-κB. Eligibility criteria were applied, excluding publications focused primarily on food, cosmetics, or technological applications, to prioritize mechanistic and therapeutic endpoints. The findings suggest that BACs from saffron extracts have promising disease-modifying properties and symptom-relieving actions, especially in the case of neurologic disorders, mild cognitive impairment, and some models of metabolic and oncological diseases. Nevertheless, the current variability in study design, dosage, standardization of plant extracts, and sample size limits a conclusive clinical application. More carefully designed studies with a representative number of cases and well-defined plant preparations are needed to validate efficacy, establish structure-activity relationships, and define the prevention and therapeutic potential of saffron in evidence-based pharmacotherapy.

This study evaluates volatile extracts (HE1 and HE2) from the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea as eco-friendly agents to control algal proliferation, specifically targeting the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa and the green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana. Both extracts exhibited potent anti-microalgal activity against the two species with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 375 to 750 µg/mL. Furthermore, both extracts reduced cell density by more than 98% after eight days of treatment. Chlorophyll a and protein levels decreased significantly (>80%) in both species, indicating suppression of pigment synthesis. However, their physiological responses were distinct: M. aeruginosa underwent early acute oxidative stress and severe membrane damage, while C. sorokiniana exhibited delayed oxidative activation and a negative growth rate, suggesting non-lytic metabolic inhibition. An in silico study by molecular docking of the most abundant compounds identified in these volatile extracts, such as terpenoids (abietatriene, δ-cadinene) and a phenolic compound (atraric acid), showed that these compounds interact with vital cellular targets in M. aeruginosa and C. sorokiniana and likely contribute to the effects observed in these two species. Predictive toxicity by applying the ADMET framework confirmed the favorable bioavailability and low acute toxicity of these volatile compounds. Therefore, P. furfuracea volatiles are promising, species-specific, and environmentally safe candidates for mitigating aquatic algal proliferation through targeted oxidative and metabolic interference.

Harmful algal blooms pose a persistent threat to the integrity of freshwater ecosystems and public health. However, there are no selective chemical control agents available to suppress cyanobacterial growth without damaging beneficial phytoplankton. In this study, ten structurally diverse monoterpenes were assessed in vitro for their differential activity against the potent toxin-producing cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa and the ecologically valuable microalga Chlorella sorokiniana using disc diffusion (DDM) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. Inhibition zones against M. aeruginosa ranged from 6.9 to 43.6 mm, with thymol recording the largest zone (43.6 mm). MIC values ranged from 0.25 to >1 mg/mL for both organisms, and selectivity indices identified camphor and carvone as the most cyanobacterium-preferential compounds, while carene and α-pinene showed the inverse selectivity pattern. Molecular docking against six AlphaFold2-predicted target proteins, photosynthetic complexes, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) synthase subunits, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from both organisms, revealed binding affinities between −3.9 and −6.2 kcal/mol. Phenolic monoterpenes consistently engaged active-site glutamate and aspartate residues via hydrogen bonds and Pi–Anion interactions, most strikingly in the M. aeruginosa ATP synthase, whereas the M. aeruginosa SOD represented the least amenable target for all compounds. Computational ADMET profiling confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic properties and low predicted toxicity for the full panel.