Phytochemical Characterization of Polyphenolic Extracts from Thymus capitatus and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Efficacy

Abstract

Thymus capitatus is renowned for its rich phytochemical profile and diverse therapeutic properties. This study aimed to characterize the polyphenolic composition of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of T. capitatus and evaluate their biological efficacy against a spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms. The phytochemical screening was conducted using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to identify and quantify bioactive metabolites. The antimicrobial potential was assessed against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, using Ampicillin and Amphotericin B as standard reference drugs. HPLC analysis identified a robust profile of bioactive compounds, notably rosmarinic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, apigenin, kaempferol, ferulic acid, and rutin. Both extracts exhibited potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The presence of these phenolic and flavonoid constituents was strongly correlated with the observed inhibitory effects on both bacterial growths, demonstrating competitive efficacy relative to commercial antibiotics. These findings highlight T. capitatus as a significant natural source of antimicrobial agents. The results validate its traditional use and justify further in vivo toxicological and pharmacological investigations to establish its potential as a precursor for novel natural therapeutic formulations.