Lavandula pedunculata subsp. atlantica: A Multifunctional Essential Oil for Potentially Combating Microbial...

Area of Science:

• * Phytochemistry
• * Pharmacology
• * Traditional Medicine

Background:

• * The genus *Lavandula* L. (Lamiaceae) comprises approximately forty species, primarily found in the Mediterranean basin.
• * *Lavandula pedunculata* ssp. has historical uses in Moroccan and European traditional medicine for its biological properties.
• * Essential oils (EOs) are recognized for their diverse therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the chemical composition of EO from *Lavandula pedunculata* subsp. *atlantica*.
• * To evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of this EO.
• * To explore the potential therapeutic applications of this Moroccan EO.

Main Methods:

• * Hydrodistillation was employed to extract the essential oil.
• * Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for chemical composition analysis.
• * Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory assays were performed.

Main Results:

• * The EO's primary constituents include camphor (27.8%), camphene (10.9%), fenchone (10.6%), and eucalyptol (8.5%).
• * The EO demonstrated significant activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• * Promising antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects were observed, with no adverse impact on eukaryotic cell viability.

Conclusions:

• * The EO of *Lavandula pedunculata* subsp. *atlantica* possesses a rich chemical profile dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes.
• * This EO shows potential for combating various bacterial infections, including those caused by *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Escherichia coli*, and *Streptococcus* species.
• * The study supports the traditional use of *Lavandula* and highlights its potential as a source for novel therapeutic agents.