Unlocking the combined action of Mentha pulegium L. essential oil and Thym honey: In vitro pharmacological activities, molecular docking, and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect
Hamza Assaggaf,
Naoufal El Hachlafi,
Amine Elbouzidi,
Mohamed Taibi,
Nesrine Benkhaira,
Fatima El Kamari,
Sulaiman Mohammed Alnasseri,
Wafa Laaboudi,
Abdelhakim Bouyahya,
Chrismawan Ardianto,
Khang Wen Goh,
Long Chiau Ming,
Hanae Naceiri Mrabti
Affiliations
Hamza Assaggaf
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
Naoufal El Hachlafi
Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Bio Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Analysis Research Team, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Rabat BP 6203, Morocco
Amine Elbouzidi
Laboratoire d’Amélioration des Productions Agricoles, Biotechnologie et Environnement (LAPABE), Faculté des Sciences, Oujda, 60000, Morocco des Sciences, Université Mohammed Premier, Oujda, 60000, Morocco
Mohamed Taibi
Laboratoire d’Amélioration des Productions Agricoles, Biotechnologie et Environnement (LAPABE), Faculté des Sciences, Oujda, 60000, Morocco des Sciences, Université Mohammed Premier, Oujda, 60000, Morocco; Centre de l’Oriental des Sciences et Technologies de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (COSTEE), Université Mohammed Premier, Oujda, 60000, Morocco
Nesrine Benkhaira
Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Imouzzer Road, Fez, Morocco
Fatima El Kamari
Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Matériaux Organométalliques, Moléculaires et Environnement, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, B.P. 1796, Morocco
Sulaiman Mohammed Alnasseri
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, 51452, Saudi Arabia
Wafa Laaboudi
High Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques Fez, Fez, 30050, Morocco
Abdelhakim Bouyahya
Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, 10106, Morocco; Corresponding author.
Chrismawan Ardianto
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, 60115, Surabaya, Indonesia; Corresponding author.
Khang Wen Goh
Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia
Long Chiau Ming
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, 60115, Surabaya, Indonesia; School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Sunway City, Malaysia; PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam
Hanae Naceiri Mrabti
High Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques Casablanca, Casablanca, 20250, Morocco; Euromed Research Center, Euromed Faculty of Pharmacy and School of Engineering and Biotechnology, Euromed University of Fes(UEMF), Meknes Road, 30000, Fez, Morocco
Mentha pulegium L., a plant widely embraced for its therapeutic properties by populations worldwide, including Morocco, has long been recognized for its potential in treating various ailments. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and dermatoprotective properties of essential oil derived from M. pulegium, and thyme honey as well as their combined effects. To unravel the chemical composition, a rigorous GC-MS analysis was conducted. Subsequently, we examined their antioxidant potential through three distinct assays: DPPH●, hydrogen peroxide assay, and xanthine oxidase assay. The anti-inflammatory properties were scrutinized through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Simultaneously, the dermatoprotective efficacy was investigated in vitro by evaluating tyrosinase inhibition. Our findings revealed that pulegone constitutes the predominant compound in M. pulegium essential oil (MPEO), constituting a remarkable 74.82 % of the composition. Significantly, when the essential oil was combined with thym honey, it exhibited superior anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective effects across all in vivo and in vitro tests. Moreover, our in silico molecular docking analysis hinted at the potential role of cyclohexanone, 3-methyl, an element found in the MPEO, in contributing to the observed outcomes. While this study has unveiled promising results regarding the combined in vitro, in vivo and in silico biological activities of the essential oil and honey, it is imperative to delve further into the underlying mechanisms through additional experimentation and alternative experimental methods. Understanding these mechanisms in greater detail will not only enhance our comprehension of the therapeutic potential but also pave the way for the development of innovative treatments and applications rooted in the synergy of these natural compounds. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to test different possible combinations using experimental design model. Moreover, it would be better to test the effect of single compounds of MPEO to clearly elucidate their efficiency. MPEO alone or combined with thyme honey may be a useful for the development of novel biopharmaceuticals.
