Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plants from Libyan flora

Libya, with its rich flora and deep-rooted tradition of folk medicine, offers significant potential for the discovery of new natural antimicrobial agents. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance has heightened the need for alternative therapeutic strategies, placing plant-based remedies at the forefront of scientific interest. Despite their long standing use by local populations, the antimicrobial properties of many medicinal plants native to Libya remain insufficiently studied. The primary objective of this study is to systematically analyze the antimicrobial activity and phytochemical composition of six medicinal plants Nigella sativa, Salvia officinalis, Artemisia herba-alba, Matricaria chamomilla, Ziziphus lotus and Peganum harmala collected from four valleys in Libya's Cyrenaica region (Wadi Zaza, Wadi Al Ager, Wadi Jarjar Amma and Wadi Ras Al-Hilal). The results revealed that Nigella sativa exhibited the highest inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus, while Matricaria chamomilla was most effective against Escherichia coli. These findings support the scientific validity of traditionally used medicinal plants in Libya and highlight their potential in the development of natural antibiotic alternatives. The study recommends further research aimed at isolating and characterizing the bioactive compounds present in these plants, elucidating their mechanisms of action, and verifying their therapeutic efficacy through clinical investigations.