Evaluating the Antiviral and Antimicrobial Potentials of Chenopodium murale Extracts: Exploring Natural Solutions for Health and Medical Applications

Background: Chenopodium murale (C. murale), a plant used in herbal medicine, is rich in essential oils and bioactive compounds. Given the urgent need for natural sanitisers and disinfectants, this study aimed to evaluate the antiviral and antimicrobial properties of various C. murale extracts and to develop an adequate, low-toxicity, ready-to-use green preparation.Methods: Crude extracts of C. murale prepared with ethanol, methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and hexane were tested for cytotoxicity, antiviral, and antimicrobial activities. Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry was used to identify the metabolites in the most potent extract.Results: The ethanol extract of C. murale showed promising antiviral activity, particularly against adenovirus type 7, without significant toxicity to tested cell lines. Identified compounds in the crude ethanolic extract included pentoses, hexoses, amino acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, sterols, and glycosides. The essential oil derived from C. murale, containing p-cymene and a-terpinene, demonstrated antimicrobial properties. Combined with other essential oils, the plant extracts showed activity against various microbial species, aligning with previous research on the antimicrobial effects of C. murale.Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of C. murale and its ethanolic extract as a potent natural antiviral source for various health and medical applications.