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Chemical Profiling and Biological Evaluation of Matricaria pubescens as a Promising Source of Antioxidant and Anti-Resistance Agents

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Matricaria pubescens (Desf.), a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, is traditionally used in southeastern Morocco but remains insufficiently studied. In this study, samples collected from the Zagora region (Morocco) were subjected to the preparation of aqueous, methanolic, and petroleum ether extracts, followed by qualitative phytochemical screening. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents were quantified. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, RPC, and ABTS assays, whereas antimicrobial activity was evaluated against eight bacterial and fungal species, including antibiotic-resistant strains, using disc diffusion and microdilution techniques. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and sesquiterpenes, with notable variation across extracts. The aqueous (AqE) and methanol–water (MT-H2O) extracts were particularly rich in phenolics and flavonoids, recording 9.15 ± 0.29 mg GAE/g DW and 17.1 ± 0.55 mg QE/g DW, respectively. Antioxidant assays showed strong activity, with IC50 values ranging from 3.15 to 5.48 µg/mL (DPPH) and 9.10 to 14.40 µg/mL (ABTS). The MT-H2O extract also displayed potent antimicrobial effects against eight microbial species (bacteria and fungi), with minimum inhibitory concentrations between 0.93 and 30 mg/mL, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings highlight the untapped potential of M. pubescens from Zagora as a source of antioxidant and anti-resistance agents, providing new insights for green medicine and future pharmacological research.

Source: Microbiology Research

DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres16120258

Authors: Elhasnaoui Abdelhadi, Janah Iman, Ait-El-Mokhtar Mohamed, Sellam Khalid, Bouadid Ismail, Eddouks Mohamed, Lahrach Nadia, El-Haidani Ahmed

Institutions: Université Moulay Ismail de Meknes, Cadi Ayyad University, Université Hassan II Mohammedia, University of Hassan II Casablanca

Language: English

Topic: Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,930