Marrubium vulgare L.: A Phytochemical and Biological Activities

The present work focuses on a medicinal plant, Marrubium vulgare L., cultivated in the Souk Ahras region (north-eastern Algeria). Widely used by the natives of this region for its extraordinary therapeutic properties. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antifungal and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of the leaves of Marrubium vulgare L. We also tested the effect of the different extracts against two strains of phytopathogenic fungi by the disk diffusion method, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was determined by the method of Ellman et al. 1961. The inhibitory effect was significant for the two strains tested. Extracts of M. vulgare have significant antifungal activity. Statistical analysis indicates that there are no significant differences at P > 0.05. The results obtained during the study of anticholinesterase activity proved that the hexanic extract has significant antiacetylcholinesterase activity. Based on these results, it is fair to conclude that M. vulgare is an important source of bioactive compounds with antifungal properties.