Qualitative phytochemical analysis and evaluation of the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Origanum majorana

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant, and toxicological properties of crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Origanum majorana L. leaves. The qualitative phytochemical characterization involved the detection of secondary metabolites using colorimetric and precipitation techniques. The antioxidant activity of O. majorana L. was assessed by the sequestration method of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, followed by cytotoxicity testing against the crustacean Artemia salina. The crude ethanolic extract exhibited the presence of eight classes of secondary metabolites, including saponins, phenols and tannins, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, depsides, and depsidones. The crude aqueous extract, on the other hand, contained five classes of secondary metabolites, such as proteins, amino acids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids. Both extracts demonstrated antioxidant potential, with the crude aqueous extract exhibiting an IC50 value of 811.69 μg.mL-1 and the crude ethanolic extract showing an IC50 value of 125.67 μg.mL-1. Furthermore, the extracts exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against A. salina, as evidenced by the crude aqueous extract's LC50 value of 4,747.085 μg.mL-1 and the crude ethanolic extract's LC50 value of 1,088.624 μg.mL-1. These findings highlight the potential of O. majorana L. as a medicinal plant, supporting and justifying its widespread popular usage.