Affiliation:
1. Laboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology, Anthropobiology and Environment Department of Biology Faculty of Sciences Semlalia Cadi Ayyad University Marrakech Morocco 511 – 40000
2. Laboratory of Biological Engineering Faculty of Sciences and Technology Sultan Moulay Slimane University Beni Mellal Morocco
3. Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug Sapienza University P. le Aldo Moro, 5 00185 Rome Italy
Abstract
AbstractMarrubium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, inflammatory conditions, and pain. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, acute toxicity, and antinociceptive effects of the aqueous extract from M. vulgare leaves (AEMV). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and reducing power assays. The chemical composition of AEMV was determined through LC–MS/MS, and the levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins were quantified. Acute oral toxicity was assessed in male Swiss mice with a single oral dose of AEMV (1, 2, 5 g/kg). The analgesic impact was examined through writhing, hot plate, and formalin tests. Our findings not only confirmed the safety of the extract in animal models but also revealed significant antioxidant activity in AEMV. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified important bioactive compounds, with marrubiin being a major component. Furthermore, AEMV demonstrated robust antinociceptive properties in all conducted tests, highlighting its potential as a valuable natural source of bioactive compounds suitable for a wide range of therapeutic applications.