Comparative analysis of essential oils, phenolic compounds, and bioactivity in wild and cultivated Salvia Rosmarinus, Thymbra capitata, and Artemisia herba-alba under semi-arid Tunisian conditions

The sustainable management of medicinal and aromatic plants is increasingly important due to the threats posed by overexploitation
and climate change. Cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants offers a viable alternative to wild harvesting,
ensuring resource conservation while maintaining bioactive compound production. This study characterizes the biochemical
properties of wild and cultivated Salvia Rosmarinus Spenn., Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., and Artemisia herba-alba
Asso. to assess their potential for sustainable valorization. Essential oils were extracted via hydrodistillation and analyzed
using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to determine their chemical composition and yield. Additionally, hydromethanolic
extracts were evaluated for total polyphenol and flavonoid content, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
activities. Results showed that cultivation significantly increased essential oil yield in Salvia Rosmarinus Spenn. and
Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. while preserving their major chemical composition. However, some major compounds of each
species were more abundant in wild plants than in cultivated ones. Polyphenol and flavonoid content were also higher
in cultivated plants than in wild ones. Antioxidant activity, assessed via the DPPH assay and reducing power, remained
similar between wild and cultivated specimens; whereas anti-inflammatory activity was slightly lower in cultivated plants.
Overall, these findings suggest that cultivation enhances essential oil yield and phenolic compound content without compromising
bioactive properties. This supports the use of cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants as a sustainable alternative
to wild harvesting, contributing to biodiversity conservation and the economic valorization of forest resources.