Biological insights into Chiliadenus glutinosus (L.) Fourr. essential oil: chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, and potential therapeutic effects on diabetes and gout

Chiliadenus glutinosus (L.) Fourr., commonly known as Rock tea or “Assel Lahmir,” is a plant of the Asteraceae family widely used in eastern Morocco for treating various ailments. This study examines the biological activities of its essential oil (CGEO) through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), in vitro assays, and molecular docking. CGEO is rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (80.72%), with nerolidol (25.34%), β-eudesmol (19.12%), and γ-eudesmol (16.58%) as the main compounds. The oil demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (IC50: 81.21 ± 0.09 µg/mL) and high total antioxidant capacity (649.29 ± 7.91 µg AAE/mg), outperforming ascorbic acid. CGEO exhibited potent antimicrobial effects, particularly against S. aureus, L. innocua, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, with MIC values of 0.125%–0.5% (v/v). Additionally, CGEO showed inhibitory activities against α-amylase, α-glycosidase, xanthine oxidase, and tyrosinase (IC50: 32.33–54.32 mg/mL), indicating potential for managing diabetes, gout, and skin disorders. Molecular docking confirmed the bioactivity of its compounds, enhancing the understanding of CGEO's diverse therapeutic properties. These findings underscore CGEO’s potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries.