Phytochemical screening and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic extracts of the Moroccan endemic medicinal plant Zygophyllum gaetulum

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Zygophyllum gaetulum (Z. gaetulum), also known as Al Aggaya, is an endemic plant widespread in the Moroccan Sahara. This study aims to valorise Z. gaetulum from both phytochemical and pharmacological standpoints by extracting and quantifying total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), assessing antioxidant activity through a series of in vitro tests, and evaluating antibacterial activity against four multidrug-resistant bacteria. The relationships between phytochemical content and antioxidant activity were also examined. The methanolic extract showed the highest levels of phenolic and flavonoid contents and the greatest antioxidant activity in both the DPPH and FRAP assays. But, no significant correlation was observed between TPC and the antioxidant activity assays. The antibacterial screening demonstrated that the 50% methanolic extract showed the largest inhibition zone against Escherichia coli. This study provides novel data and evidence that extracts from this plant are a promising source of natural antioxidants.