Extraction of Bioactive Compound-Rich Essential Oil from Cistus ladanifer L. by Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation: GC-MS Characterization, In Vitro Pharmacological Activities, and Molecular Docking

Cistus ladanifer L. is an aromatic and resinous perennial shrub commonly used in Moroccan folk medicine against a range of illnesses including skin problems, diabetes, diarrhea, and inflammation. The current investigation aims to determine the bioactive compounds of C. ladanifer essential oil (CL-Eo) extracted by microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and their biological properties using in vitro and molecular docking approaches. The GC-MS analysis identified linderol (17.76%), gamma-terpinene (17.55%), and borneol (13.78%) as main bioactive compounds. CL-Eo significantly inhibited alpha-amylase (IC50 = 0.41 +/- 0.009 mg/mL), alpha-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.49 +/- 0.002 mg/mL) and lipase (IC50 = 0.45 +/- 0.004 mg/mL) enzymes. Moreover, CL-Eo showed significant hemoglobin glycation as well as antioxidant capacity as indicated by DPPH, ABTS, Frap and beta-carotene tests. The antimicrobial evaluation used disc-diffusion and microdilution tests in vitro. The results showed that CL-Eo had significant antibacterial activity, particularly against P. mirabilis (17.16 +/- 1.04 mm), and moderate effects against L. innocua (13.48 +/- 1.65 mm) and E. coli (12.47 +/- 0.61 mm). In addition, it demonstrated potent antifungal activity against C. albicans (18.01 +/- 0.91 mm) and C. tropicalis (16.45 +/- 0.32 mm). The MIC and MBC tests provided confirmation that CL-Eo exhibited potent growth inhibition. The MIC ranged from 0.25 to 8.0% v/v and the MBC or MFC ranged from 0.25 to 16.0% v/v Eo. The tolerance level ratio showed bactericidal and fungicidal effects against tested microbial strains in varying degrees. According to these data, CL-Eo might be suggested as a promising candidate for drug development, specifically for combating candidiasis and diabetes.