Evaluation of the Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, and Antidiabetic Activities of Matricaria chamomilla, Lavandula angustifolia, Hypericum perforatum, Salvia officinalis, and Foeniculum vulgare Extracts

This study evaluated and compared the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and antidiabetic activities of Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile), Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender), Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort), Salvia officinalis L. (sage), and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) plants and their extracts. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays, while α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assays determined antidiabetic potential. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities were measured via the Ellman method, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the micro-well dilution test. Among the tested extracts, H. perforatum extract and H. perforatum drug exhibited the most potent biological activities. In the α-glucosidase inhibition assay, H. perforatum extract displayed the highest inhibition (95.40%, IC₅₀ = 8 µg/mL), followed by H. perforatum drug (94.71%, IC₅₀ = 27 µg/mL). The strongest α-amylase inhibition was observed with the Soothing Complex Product (60.90%), following acarbose (74.61%). The highest ABTS radical scavenging activity was noted in S. officinalis drug (99.39%) and H. perforatum drug (99.32%), while the DPPH assay showed significant activity for S. officinalis extract (46.99%) and α-tocopherol (46.99%). Antimicrobial testing revealed moderate antibacterial effects of F. vulgare drug against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans (MIC = 1250 µg/mL). Overall, H. perforatum extracts demonstrated strong enzyme inhibition and antioxidant properties, highlighting their potential for medicinal and dermocosmetic applications. These findings provide valuable insights into the bioactivity of herbal extracts, supporting their potential use in over-the-counter formulations and new plant-based therapeutic products.