Chemical composition and biological activities of stolons methanolic extract and fractions from the Moroccan endemic species <i>Searsia albida</i> (Schousb.) Moffett

Due to its rich phenolic content, <i>Searsia albida</i> (Schousb.) Moffett, a medicinal plant from Essaouira, Morocco, holds the potential to combat microbial resistance. This study is the first to profile <i>S. albida</i> using UHPLC-MS/MS and assess its biological activities. Antimicrobial effects were tested on Gram-negative (<i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>), Gram-positive bacteria (<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Enterococcus hirae</i>), and <i>Candida albicans</i>. The methanolic extract, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions’ antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and TAC tests, and cytotoxicity was tested on P3 myeloma cells. The plant’s extracts revealed 20 distinct compounds. PCA analysis highlighted that the ethyl acetate fraction, rich in chlorogenic acid (45.36%), showed strong antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial effects, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. The dichloromethane fraction containing galloylhexose derivatives (30.71%) displayed significant antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-negative bacteria and <i>C. albicans</i>. This work provides insights into the bioactive compounds of <i>S. albida</i>, opening doors for further exploration.