Within the framework of Bill No.13-21 on the legal use of cannabis in Morocco, we studied the Cannabis sativa L plant, known as 'Beldeya,' grown in the Ketama region of northern Morocco. In the present study, phytochemical screening, a quantitative study on ethanol, chloroform, and hexane...

Pistacia lentiscus L. (PL) is a shrub belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders in the Commune of Ajdir from Al Hociema province. The conducted study focused on determination of the polyphenols and flavonoids contents by spectrophotometric and...

Introduction: Lavandula dentata L. (LD) is a well-known aromatic and medicinal plant celebrated for its abundant essential oil (EO) with applications in aromatherapy, perfumery, and traditional medicine. The chemical composition and biological properties of LD EO can vary based on factors like harvesting period, and cultivation location. Methods: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was employed to analyze the chemical composition of LD. EO harvested in different periods (December, April, and July). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were assessed, and in silico analysis included absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity prediction and molecular docking. Results: The December EO exhibited high levels of eucalyptol, while April EO contained notable amounts of β-pinene, pinocarveol, and β-eudesmol. July EO was characterized by β-pinene and myrtenol. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant assessments indicated higher activity in December and April, attributed to eucalyptol, L- trans-pinocarveol, and β-eudesmol. Conclusion: The study highlights significant variations in LD EO's chemical composition based on harvesting period, influencing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In silico analysis supports experimental findings, emphasizing the potential therapeutic impact of specific compounds. This integration enhances our understanding of LD EO and its diverse applications.

Plants are a significant source for identifying new compounds (particularly secondary metabolites) with medicinal value for drug development, pharmaceuticals, and food additives. Many of these healing plants are frequently used in conventional medicine to treat and prevent various diseases. The...

Medicinal plants are effective in treating many infections. Pistacia lentiscus L., whose oil is recognized for its biological properties, is attracting growing interest in medical research. These biological properties are due to their chemical composition (CC), which various conditions, like climate, can affect. P. lentiscus EOs biological properties from December, May, and August were investigated in vitro; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) helped analyse their CC. Autodock Vina was used for molecular docking and SwissADME was used for ADMET analysis. The Eos of P. lentiscus leaves collected in December showed a remarkable presence of β-caryophyllene and β-myrcene. May Eos, α-pinene dominated, while August Eos, β-pinene, and D-limonene were predominant. The biological activity of Eos from P. lentiscus collected in August was highest compared to other periods. During this time (August), the leave's Eos showed significant antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity. The computational molecular docking and ADMET results align with experimental evidence, lending scientific validation to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants from which these compounds were derived. These results provide valuable information on the seasonal dynamics of the CC of P. lentiscus Eos and underline the importance of taking environmental factors into account in studies of metabolite biosynthesis.

Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants are valuable sources of bioactive compounds with potential applications as natural antimicrobials and antioxidants. This study investigated the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and in silico pharmacological properties of EOs extracted from Laurus nobilis, Thymbra capitata, and Mentha piperita, three medicinal species traditionally used in northern Morocco. Hydrodistillation yielded 1.12–1.53% oils, and GC–MS analysis revealed distinct chemotypes: L. nobilis was rich in eucalyptol, linalool, methyleugenol, and α-terpinyl acetate; T. capitata was dominated by carvacrol (80.95%), and M. piperita contained high proportions of linalool (57.37%) and linalyl acetate (28.56%). Antimicrobial assays demonstrated strong activity of all oils against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as Candida species, with T. capitata showing the most potent and broad-spectrum effects (MIC 0.073–9.47 mg/mL), attributed to its high carvacrol content. Antioxidant assays (DPPH and ferric reducing power) identified L. nobilis as the most active radical scavenger (IC₅₀ = 0.037 mg/mL), followed by T. capitata, whereas M. piperita displayed weaker activity. PCA confirmed that phenolic monoterpenes drive both antimicrobial and antioxidant potency, while oxygenated terpenes and sesquiterpenes contribute more selectively. ADMET predictions indicated generally favorable absorption and low toxicity, although o-cymene and carvacrol presented potential safety concerns. Molecular docking revealed α-terpinyl acetate as the most versatile ligand, with strong binding to bacterial, fungal, and oxidative enzymes, whereas other compounds exhibited more selective affinities. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of Moroccan EOs, particularly T. capitata and L. nobilis, as promising natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.