A study on essential oil of Peganum harmala L.: Antioxidant and antibacterial activities

Abstract

This study investigates the extraction and characterization of the essential oil from Peganum harmala L., focusing on its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The essential oils were extracted from the plant's seeds and leaves using the hydro-distillation method, and nine major volatile constituents were identified via GC-MS analysis. The antioxidant potential of the sample was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging method, achieving a 98.085% scavenging rate at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. The antibacterial effectiveness was assessed through the well diffusion method, demonstrating strong antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These results highlight the chemical composition and significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Peganum harmala L. oil, suggesting its potential use in traditional medicine and recommending further exploration of its therapeutic applications.