GC–MS Analysis of <i>Pergularia tomentosa</i> Essential Oil: Determination of Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Anti‐Inflammatory Activities

Pergularia tomentosa plant is used in African and Asian medicine for treating infections and inflammation. Despite its ethno-pharmacological relevance, no comprehensive study defines the chemical composition and the full spectrum of biological activities of this plant. To address these gaps, essential oil was extracted via hydro-distillation and analyzed for its components using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 24 compounds were identified, predominantly terpenes (70.3%), with major constituents being 1-hexanol (18.2%), cis-limonene oxide (15.6%), and β-myrcene (12.4%). The antimicrobial potential was assessed against clinically relevant bacterial and fungal strains using broth microdilution. Notably, the oil exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 8.05 μg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 16.1 μg/mL). Antioxidant capacity measured via DPPH and ABTS assays showed moderate radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 0.829 and 0.712 mg/mL). The oil also demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity (83.91% inhibition of protein denaturation at 0.5 mg/mL), comparable to the standard drug diclofenac. This research provides a detailed chemical profile alongside antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory evaluations of Pergularia tomentosa L. essential oil. These findings not only validate traditional uses but also suggest its potential as a natural therapeutic agent, offering a promising alternative to synthetic drugs.