RETRACTED: Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. essential oil as a promising source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective properties: In vitro and in silico evidence

Abstract

<i>Tetraclinis articulata</i> is a known traditional medicinal plant used to manage various ailments, such as diabetes, rheumatism and infectious diseases. This study aims to determine the chemical constituents of <i>T. articulata</i> essential oil (EO) and to evaluate its <i>in vitro</i> antibacterial, anti-candidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective properties. In addition, a computational docking approach was used to predict the potential antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties of the identified compounds. The volatile oil obtained by hydrodistillation was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of <i>T. articulata</i> EO was investigated using three complementary assays: DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and tyrosinase enzymes were used to assess the anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective effects of this oil. Moreover, disc-diffusion technique, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays were employed for the antimicrobial screening. The GC-MS analysis revealed that bornyl acetate (41.80 %), α-pinene (17.97 %) and camphor (15.97 %) are the major components of the studied EO. Moreover, <i>T. articulata</i> EO has exhibited promising antioxidant effect on FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS experiments. It also significantly inhibited 5-LOX (IC₅₀ = 67.82 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and tyrosinase (IC₅₀ = 211.93 ± 0.02 μg/mL). The results of MIC and MBC assays indicated that <i>T. articulata</i> EO is able to inhibit the growth of all tested bacteria (Gram + and Gram -) and <i>Candida</i> species. The ratio of tolerance level indicated that the tested oil was bactericidal against the Gram + bacteria and <i>Candida</i> species, whereas it has a bacteriostatic behavior against the Gram^- bacteria. In light of these findings, <i>T. articulata</i> EO may be suggested as a potential pharmaceutical agent to prevent inflammation and skin problems and may serve as a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant alternative for sustainable application in food products.