Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Zygophyllum album (L.) Essential Oil from Tunisia

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antiobesity and anti-bacterial activities and the chemical composition of essential oil of Zygophyllum album leaves (Zygophyllaceae) harvested from Douz (Tunisia). GC-MS analysis of essential oil of Z. album resulted in the identification of nineteen compounds representing 91.55% of the total oil. 2,6-Di(tert-butyl) phenol, delta decalactone, cocolactone and carvacrol were the principal components comprising 63.65% of the oil. The antioxidant activity of essential oil of Z. album was evaluated using 2,2-DiPhenyl-1-PicrylHydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and total antioxidant capacity assays. The obtained results reveal that the essential oil of Z. album is endowed with potent antioxidant property. In addition, the IC50 value of essential oil of Z. album against alpha-amylase was 43.17 mu g mL(-1) and that against pancreatic lipase was 85.95 mu g mL(-1), suggesting powerful anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects, respectively. Moreover, the essential oil of Z. album showed a significant anti-bacterial activity especially against Gram (+) bacteria. This study suggests that essential oil of Z. album may be used as a potential natural source for anti-oxidative, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial agents in drug and food industries.