Open Access

ARTICLE

GC-MS Analysis, Antimicrobial Activity, and Genotoxicity of Pimpinella anisum Essential oil: In Vitro, ADMET and Molecular Docking Investigations

Ahmed Qasem^*

Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia

* Corresponding Author: Ahmed Qasem. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Innovative Approaches in Experimental Botany: Essential Oils as Natural Therapeutics)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2025, 94(3), 809-824. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2025.062683

Received 24 December 2024; Accepted 19 February 2025; Issue published 31 March 2025

Abstract

Pimpinella anisum, commonly known as anise, is generally used in both folk medicine and the culinary world. In traditional medicine, it is valued for its digestive, respiratory, and antispasmodic properties. This study aims to examine the volatile compounds and antibacterial effect of P. anisum essential oil (PAEO) as well as for the first time its genotoxicity employing both in vitro and computational approaches. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified anethole as the principal compound, which comprises 92.47% of PAEO. PAEO was tested for its potential antibacterial properties against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Listeria innocua ATCC 33090, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Klebsiella aerogenes ATCC 13048, and a clinical strain of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. PAEO displayed noteworthy antibacterial action toward all tested bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus, with an inhibition zone of 21.43 ± 0.87 mm, as determined by the disc-diffusion test. Varied between 0.0625% and 2% v/v, while the MBC values ranged from 0.125% to 8% v/v, reflecting the strength of the tested EO. The MBC/MIC ratios indicated the bactericidal nature of PAEO. The results of molecular docking revealed strong binding interactions between key PAEO molecules and microbial target proteins. ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) analysis confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, indicating its potential as a safe therapeutic agent. Additionally, genotoxicity was assessed using the comet assay, which demonstrated minimal genotoxic risk, affirming the oil’s safety. These results highlight the promising antimicrobial properties of PAEO and its possible use as an active agent in the pharmacy, food, and cosmetic sectors.

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