The Genus Deverra DC. (Syn. Pituranthos Viv.): A natural valuable source of bioactive phytochemicals: A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties

Revealing the Therapeutic Potential of Pituranthos scoparius: Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activities, and Abiotic Stress Resilience Through In Vitro and In Silico Analyses From the Algerian Sahara

Although medicinal plants have the potential to be used therapeutically, little is known about the bioactive components and environmental stress reactions of the Algerian Saharan plant Pituranthos scoparius. The biological activity, phytochemical composition, adaptability, and molecular docking of the plant were evaluated in this work, along with dynamics simulations (in silico) that analyze how plant phytochemicals inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR. In addition, osmolytes linked to edaphic factors and stresses were investigated in soil samples from Adrar. This latter was characterized by moderate limestone, low salinity, high potassium, and low phosphorus. Glycine betaine, proline, soluble carbohydrates, chlorophyll, and carotenoids were all present in stressed plants. GC-MS analysis revealed 40 major essential oil components, including β-phellandrene and exo-2-hydroxyanisole, while LC-MS detected β-carotene, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid. The ethanolic extract (IC50 = 164.86 ± 29.92 µg/mL) and essential oil (IC50 = 188.46 ± 5.49 µg/mL) exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory tests showed inhibition of albumin denaturation by the ethanolic extract (84.46 ± 0.008%) and essential oil (62.25 ± 0.015%) at 10 mg/mL. The ethanolic extract (100 mg/mL) also exhibited antibacterial activity, inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis (34 mm zones). On the other hand, the in silico analysis revealed that quercetin, methylbicyclo(4.4.0)decane (cis), and cianidanol effectively bound to and suppressed LasR. This study investigated the adaptability, phytochemical profile, biological activities, and microbial interactions of P. scoparius using in silico methods. The identification of key bioactive compounds and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, including LasR inhibition, provides valuable insights for drug development.

Investigation on Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antifungal and Herbicidal Activities of Volatile Constituents from Deverra tortuosa (Desf.)

This study aims to analyze the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from stems and umbels of D. tortuosa as well the assessment of their biological activity. EOs were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant properties were determined by DPPH and ABTS assays. The phytotoxic potential was assessed against dicots weeds (Sinapis arvensis and Trifolium campestre), monocots weeds (Lolium rigidum) and the crop Lepidium sativum. The antifungal activity was evaluated against four target phytopathogenic fungal strains. High diversity of compounds was detected in D. tortuosa Eos, varying among plant parts and consisting mainly of α-pinene (24.47-28.56%), sabinene (16.2-18.6%), α-phellandrene (6.3-11.7%) and cis-ocimene (5.28-7.85%). D. tortuosa EOs exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, as well as interesting variable antifungal activities depending on the dose and fungi strain. The herbicidal activity of EOs showed significant efficacy on the inhibition of germination and seedling growth of all tested herbs. These results suggest that the EOs of Deverra tortuosa represent a valuable source of antioxidant, antifungal and phytotoxic metabolites and could be potential candidates for pest management, contributing to the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Appraisal on the Wound Healing Potential of Deverra tortuosa DC. and Deverra triradiata Hochst Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Topical Preparation

Deverra tortuosa (Desf.) DC. and Deverra. triradiata Hochst. ex Bioss are perennial desert shrubs widely used traditionally for many purposes and they are characteristic for their essential oil. The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo wound healing activity of the essential oil (EO) of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata through their encapsulation into nanoemulsion. EO nanoemulsion was prepared using an aqueous phase titration method, and nanoemulsion zones were identified through the construction of phase diagrams. The EO was prepared by hydrodistillation (HD), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and analyzed using GC/MS. D. tortuosa oil is rich in the non-oxygenated compound, representing 74.54, 73.02, and 41.19% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, and sabinene represents the major monoterpene hydrocarbons. Moreover, D. triradiata is rich in oxygenated compounds being 69.77, 52.87, and 61.69% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, with elemicin and myristicin as major phenylpropanoids. Topical application of the nanoemulsion of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata (1% or 2%) exhibited nearly 100% wound contraction and complete healing at day 16. Moreover, they exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and a significant increase in growth factors and hydroxyproline levels. Histopathological examination exhibited complete re-epithelialization accompanied by activated hair follicles and abundant collagen fibers, especially at a concentration of 2%. Therefore, the incorporation of the two Deverra species into nanoemulsion could professionally endorse different stages of wound healing.

Deverra triradiata Hochst. ex Boiss. from the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia: Essential Oil Profiling, Plant Extracts and Biological Activities

Devrra triradiata Hochst. ex Boiss is an occasional plant species in the Northern region of Saudi Arabia. The shrub is favored on sandy desert wadis, gypsaceous substrate, and sandy gravel desert. In folk medicine, the plant is used for many purposes; to relieve stomach pains, against intestinal parasites, and for the regulation of menstruation. The present study describes the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of different plant parts of D. triradiata. In vivo and in vitro biological activities of plant extracts and essential oils were also studied. Phenylpropanoids, elemicin (flowers: 100%), dillapiole (Stems: 82.33%; and seeds: 82.61%), and apiol (roots: 72.16%) were identified as the major compounds. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded for the EOs of roots and stems (IC₅₀ = 0.282 µg/mL and 0.706 µg/mL, respectively). For plant extracts, ethyl acetate showed the highest antioxidant activities (IC₅₀ = 2.47 and 3.18 µg/mL). EOs showed high antifungal activity against yeasts with low azole susceptibilities (i.e., Malassezia spp. and Candida krusei). The MIC values of EOs ranged between 3.4 mg/mL and 56.4 mg/mL. The obtained results also showed phytotoxic potential of plant extracts both on the germination features of Triticum aestivum seeds and the vegetative growth of seedlings.