GC/MS Analysis, Cytotoxicity, and Antimicrobial Properties of Six Moroccan Essential Oils Traditionally Used for COVID-19 Prevention
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The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited interest in traditional medicinal plants as potential therapeutic agents. This study examines the chemical composition, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from six Moroccan medicinal plants: Eucalyptus globulus, Artemisia absinthium, Syzygium aromaticum, Thymus vulgaris, Artemisia alba , and Santolina chamaecyparissus , commonly used by the Moroccan population for COVID-19 prevention. The chemical composition of each essential oil was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify key compounds. Cytotoxicity was evaluated on the Vero E6 cell line, frequently used in SARS-CoV-2 research, using the neutral red assay, with oil concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 µg/mL. Antimicrobial activity was tested against multidrug-resistant strains such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans , and Bacillus subtilis using the disc diffusion method. The GC-MS analysis revealed significant components such as spathulenol (15%) and caryophyllene oxide (7.67%) in Eucalyptus globulus, and eugenol (54.96%) in Syzygium aromaticum . Cytotoxicity assays indicated that higher concentrations of essential oils significantly reduced cell viability, with Thymus vulgaris showing the highest IC 50 (8.324 µM) and Artemisia absinthium the lowest (18.49 µM). In terms of antimicrobial activity, Eucalyptus globulus exhibited the strongest effect with a 20 ± 0.00 mm inhibition zone against Bacillus subtilis , while both Syzygium aromaticum and Artemisia herba-alba showed a 12.25 ± 0.1 mm inhibition zone against the same strain. These findings suggest that these essential oils have significant therapeutic potential, particularly in combating antimicrobial resistance and cytotoxic effects on viral cell lines. Further research is necessary to explore their mechanisms of action and ensure their safety for therapeutic use.
