Unveiling the potential of Tarchonanthus camphoratus L.: An exploration of its chemical composition, antioxidant properties, antimicrobial effect, computational docking for anti-MRSA effects, and visualization studies

Tarchonanthus camphoratus L. is a medicinal plant traditionally used in various therapeutic contexts owing to its rich phytochemical composition. This study comprehensively investigated the chemical profile, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant potential, and pharmacological relevance of T. camphoratus essential oil (TC-EO) while also analyzing current research trends through bibliometric visualization. The chemical composition of TC-EO was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify 25 compounds, with exo-fenchol (15.08 %), p-menth-1-en-8-ol (10.53 %), and 6,6-dimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptane (9.04 %) as the dominant constituents. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against seven microbial strains. TC-EO exhibited potent antibacterial effects, particularly against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; 32 mm inhibition zone) and Staphylococcus aureus (24 mm), exceeding the performance of gatifloxacin. Moderate inhibition was observed against Escherichia coli (20 mm) and Candida albicans (14 mm). The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay revealed moderate antioxidant activity (45.56 %). Molecular docking, conducted using Flare software, indicated dual anti-MRSA mechanisms: eudesm-4(14)-en-11-ol targeted PBP2a, whereas spatulenol bound to DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), both with favorable binding energies. Seven other compounds showed potential antivirulence properties. SwissADME predictions supported the drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic viability of key constituents. Bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer has demonstrated a rising global interest in T. camphoratus research, especially in the antimicrobial and pharmacological domains. Overall, these findings validate the traditional uses of T. camphoratus , emphasize its therapeutic potential, and provide a foundation for further pharmacological exploration and drug development. • GC-MS identified 25 bioactive compounds in Tarchonanthus camphoratus essential oil. • TC-EO showed strong antibacterial activity, notably against MRSA and S. aureus . • Moderate antioxidant activity (45.56 %) was observed via DPPH assay. • Docking revealed eudesm-4(14)-en-11-ol and spatulenol as key anti-MRSA agents. • Bibliometric analysis revealed rising interest in TC-EO's pharmacological applications.