Phytochemical profile, physicochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Juniperus phoenicea and Tetraclinis articulate: in vitro and in silico approaches

The essential oil yields from <i>Tetraclinis articulata</i> and <i>Juniperus phoenicea</i> are 0.46% ± 0.02% and 0.83% ± 0.05%, respectively. According to CG/SM's chromatographic analyses, the predominant constituent in the essential oil of J. Phoenicea is α-pinène (59.51%), while the main constituents in the essential oil of <i>T. Articulata</i>? are Bornyle acetate (18.91%) and camphor (28.48%). The assessment of antioxidant activities reveals intriguing antioxidant qualities in the essential oils of the species under investigation. <i>T. Articulata</i> essential oils yield the greatest results in the DPPH and FRAP tests, with CI50 values of around 266.9 ± 5.4 μg/mL and EC50 values of 433.16 ± 4.13 μg/mL, respectively. Except for Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus BLACT, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa, the two essential oils have demonstrated significant bactericidal activity against all bacterial and fungal souches (MIC <2 mg/mL et MBC <3.5 mg/mL). The inhibiting effect of these oils on bacterial and fungal development raises potential application areas in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, the current study investigated the potential antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities of the essential oils from <i>Juniperus phoenicea</i> and <i>Tetraclinis articulate</i> plants via the Glide molecular docking methodology, and most of these constituents were observed to be potent therapeutic agents.