Integrated analysis of anatomy, phytochemistry, and biological potentials of Marrubium vulgare L. extracts

This study reports on the phytochemical and bioactive characteristics of Marrubium vulgare L., harvested in northeast Algeria. After extraction using hydrodistillation and solvents with increasing polarity, 0.05% essential oil and 5.9% apolar crude extract were obtained. The plant presented a significant amount of phytochemicals like polyphenols (126.17 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (42.08 mg QE/g), tannins (45.07 mg TAE/g) which explained the high antioxidant power, evidenced by in vitro assays (FRAP, H2O2, OH• and cyclic voltammetry). Furthermore, the antimicrobial test against various microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp, Shigella sp. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus) showed that the methanolic extract was broadly effective against all tested strains. However, among the less polar extracts, activity varied: essential oils showed moderate activity, dichloromethanic extract was active against most bacteria and petroleum ether extract showed significant antibacterial effects. These compelling results underscore the unique and significant therapeutic potential of the different extracts derived from Marrubium vulgare L.