Water mint (Mentha aquatica) is used in many formulations worldwide as a functional food and natural remedy to treat gastrointestinal disorders, lung diseases, and certain mental disorders such as epilepsy and depression. This study assessed the bioactivity of its infusion extract (INF) and hydroethanolic extract (HE) to highlight its health benefits. These extracts were analyzed for their chemical composition by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, and their capacities to protect human erythrocytes against induced hemoglobin oxidation and lipid peroxidation. The effect on normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells and on the N27 rat dopaminergic neuron cell line was also assessed. The chromatographic analysis identified 57 compounds belonging to hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanones, flavone, and isoflavonoids. In respect to the biological potential, the Mentha aquatica extracts revealed a notable capacity for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, and superoxide radicals, as well as for the inhibition of α-glucosidase action and the protection of human erythrocytes against oxidative damage. Quantification revealed noteworthy phenolic content in both extracts. Additionally, the extracts demonstrated less cytotoxic effects regarding the NHDF and N27 cell lines. Overall, Mentha aquatica presents promising antioxidant activity and a spectrum of potential biological activities, underscoring its significance as a novel antioxidant candidate for applications in animal nutrition, human medicine, and natural product research in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.

Medicinal plants are gaining attention as natural alternatives to chemical additives in poultry production. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anticoccidial activities of both aqueous (AQ) and hydromethanolic (HM) extracts of Mentha aquatica (ME), Rosmarinus officinalis (RO), and Thymus algeriensis (TH). In vitro assays were conducted against Eimeria oocysts, while in vivo trials involved 450 Cobb 500 broiler chicks randomly distributed into nine groups, including untreated and infected controls, more specifically, a group treated with Toltrazuril, and six groups treated with plant extracts at two concentrations (15 and 25 mL/L in drinking water). Administration began on day 7, and all animals except uninfected controls were inoculated orally with 10,000 sporulated Eimeria oocysts on day 10. Growth performance, feed efficiency, oocyst output, lesion scores, and histopathological changes were assessed until day 32. HM extracts showed higher antioxidant activity, particularly ME-HM. RO-HM, which demonstrated the strongest in vitro anticoccidial effect. The in vivo results revealed that TH-AQ and RO-AQ significantly improved body weight, feed conversion efficiency, and intestinal integrity. Anticoccidial indices (ACI) confirmed their efficacy, with values exceeding 180 for TH and RO, indicating excellent anticoccidial activity comparable to that of Toltrazuril. These findings support the potential of these phytogenic extracts as practical natural tools in poultry health management.

Chemical insecticides are decisive in controlling insect pests, but they harm the environment. Reducing the use of chemical insecticides has become the main goal for ensuring healthy produce. However, research focusing on plant-based compounds has recently increased. The present study was carried out to analyze essential oils extracted from Algerian medicinal plants by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the insecticidal activity of essential oils from Juniperus phoenicea, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas, Mentha pulegium and Pinus sylvestris, against Aphis gossypii Glover The main components constituting each essential oil were: α-pinene, β-Pinene 1,8- cineol, Linalool, Linalyl acetate, Fenchone, Pulegone, and Camphor. The toxicity of tested essential oils against Aphis gossypii was different and dependent on the concentration used (1000, 10000, and 100000 ppm), the duration of exposure (24, 48, and 72 h), and the chemical composition of the oil. The highest toxicity was for J. phoenicea, M. pulegium, and L. stoechas which were toxic as Actara® insecticide.