Biological activities of Mentha spicata L. extracts growing in different geographical regions of Algeria

Abstract

By understanding all the components of plants, especially medicinal ones, our goal is to discover plant-derived alternatives to antibiotics. This research aims to contribute to the knowledge of the biological activities Mentha spicata (MS) extracts and their effects under different environmental conditions. Hemolysis, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were estimated of aqueous extracts of Mentha spicata. The results showed that MS El Oued extract protected the erythrocytes from hemolysis, while MS El Taref extract showed a lower protection capability. The results showed high levels of anti-inflammatory activity from plants found in the northeastern region (Tebessa and El Taref) compared to the southeast region (El Oued). They showed that MS El Oued extract exhibited higher analgesic activity (32.46%) compared to MS Tebessa, and MS El Taref extracts (19.48 and 12.97%, respectively). The results showed the antimicrobial activity, the inhibition diameter was between 17.4 - 25mm, and the largest diameter of all extracts was recorded against Aspergillus niger from the MS El Taref extract and the lowest against Staphylococcus aureus from the MS El Oued extract. The MS El Taref extract had the highest levels of activity against Aspergillus niger and Staphylococcus aureus and the MS Tebessa extract had the highest levels against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The activity levels against Candida lipolytica, were found to be equal. In conclusion, the environmental conditions had an influence on the bioactive substances present in the plants. These bioactive substances directly influenced the biological activities of the plant extracts.