Étude de la composi tion chimique et du potentiel antioxydant et antifongique des huiles essentielles de Laurus nobilis L.

Abstract

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the nails, mainly caused by dermatophytes and, increasingly, by yeasts such as Candida albicans. This condition is often recurrent and difficult to eradicate, posing a real therapeutic challenge due to the growing resistance to conventional antifungal agents. In this context, exploring natural alternatives represents a promising approach. This study focused on evaluating the antifungal and antioxidant activities of essential oils extracted from Laurus nobilis L., a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds. The oils were obtained by steam distillation from samples collected in the Mostaganem region and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis identified 41 compounds, with eucalyptol (39.08%) and linalool (14.56%) as the main components. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, revealing a high free radical scavenging capacity (IC₅₀ = 3.91 μg/mL). Antifungal activity was evaluated in vitro against several strains of Candida albicans and dermatophytes, using the aromatogram method and determination of MIC and MFC values. The essential oils demonstrated strong antifungal activity, with inhibition zones ranging from 17.40 to 67.5 mm, and MIC and MFC values between 0.62 and 10 μg/ml. The results confirm the fungicidal potential of Laurus nobilis L., which could represent a natural alternative or an effective adjuvant to conventional antifungal treatments, particularly for onychomycosis. However, further studies, especially clinical ones, are needed to confirm its safety and optimize its therapeutic use.