Study of the phenolic compounds of the leaves and flowers of Anacyclus pyrethrum using HPLC-UV/SM and evaluation of their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities

The current study intends to investigate the phytochemical makeup and assess the antioxidant and antibacterial efficiency of extracts of Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) leaves and flowers that were collected from Timahdite, Middle Atlas, (Morocco). Numerous secondary metabolites, like tannins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, and mucilages, could be found in the leaves and flowers of A. pyrethrum thanks to the phytochemical screening. The quantitative study of non-volatile compounds showed that the highest content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins was recorded in the hydromethanolic extract of the leaves. The analysis by HPLC-UV/SM of the hydromethanolic extracts from the leaves and flowers, made it possible to identify 22 molecules in the leaves and 16 in flowers. These molecules are mainly flavonoid-type compounds. Regarding the biological activities, the DPPH and FRAP techniques were used to assess the antioxidant activity of leaves and flowers extracts in vitro. The amount of phenolic components in the extracts and essential oils (Eos) affected the intriguing antioxidant activities. The extracts with the highest flavonoid content were the most potent. The antibacterial efficacy of leaves and flowers extracts against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was examined. While their antifungal activity was studied on Candida albicans, Candida sp., Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida dubliniensis. The leaf and flower extracts showed moderate antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms. The results constitute part of the scientific justification for the traditional use of the studied plants and confirm once again the relevance of traditional remedies in the treatment of many diseases.