Phytochemical, antioxidant identification, and antibacterial activity of a traditional medicinal plant, Cornulaca monacantha Del

The growth of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains has increased human and animal health problems. In this regard, studying wild flora is a promising approach to drug development. This study assesses the phytochemical compounds, antioxidants and antibacterial potentials of Cornulaca monacantha Del. growing in the northern Algerian Sahara. In 2018, plant aerial parts were subjected to extraction, and then extracts were evaluated for their phytochemical profiles (total phenolic and flavonoid contents) and antioxidant potentials using the DPPH assay. Furthermore, antibacterial activities were tested in vitro using 14 human pathogenic microorganisms, including multidrug-resistant strains. Findings indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and coumarins, reducing sugar sterols and triterpenes. The plant's aerial sections had higher concentrations of phenolic compounds and total flavonoids. An important antioxidant activity compared to ascorbic acid was recorded (IC50 = 0.62 ± 0.02 mg/ml and 0.3 ± 0.02 mg/ml for Cornulaca monacantha Del. and ascorbic acid, respectively). Both the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria tested were resistant to the extract's antibacterial effects. Significant inhibition was recorded against C. koseri, P. aeruginosa (IRPA), S. aureus ATCC 43300, S. aureus (MRSA), and S. epidermidis with MIC of 3.75 mg/ml suggesting the potential of Cornulaca monacantha Del., as an effective antimicrobial drug. Furthermore, GC–MS analysis revealed that the methanolic extract has 43 major components, the majority of which have already been recognized as having pharmaceutical value. The components found in the methanolic extract of C. monacantha Del. have medicinal significance, and according to these findings, they may be beneficial to humans.