Comparative Phytochemical Profiling and HPLC DAD Analysis of Aqueous Infusions from Melissa officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, and Passiflora incarnata as Potential Sedative Agents

Authors

  • Sarra KADI Laboratory of Natural Products (LAPRONA), Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria
  • Meriem BELARBI Laboratory of Natural Products (LAPRONA), Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria
  • Chahrazed BELARBI Laboratory of Natural Products (LAPRONA), Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria
  • Selma Abou-Bekr Laboratory of Natural Products (LAPRONA), Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria
  • Imad EL HACI Laboratory of Natural Products (LAPRONA), Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaïd University, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria. Scientific and Technical Research Centre in Physico-Chemical Analysis (CRAPC), Bou-Ismaïl, 42004 Tipaza, Algeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46325/jnpra.v6i01.04

Keywords:

Melissa officinalis; Matricaria chamomilla; Passiflora incarnata; Polyphenols; HPLC profiling; Sedation.

Abstract

Sedative plants are increasingly considered natural alternatives to benzodiazepines, but variability in composition complicates standardization. We compared aqueous infusions of Melissa officinalis leaves, Matricaria chamomilla flowers, and Passiflora incarnata aerial parts. Total phenolics (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) were determined by colorimetry (mg GAE/g DM; mg CE/g DM). Phenolics were profiled by RP-HPLC-PDA at 280 nm. Melissa officinalis showed the highest TPC and TFC (372.41 ± 62.88 mg GAE/g DM; 824.72 ± 136.51 mg CE/g DM), with a chromatogram dominated by rutin. Matricaria chamomilla showed moderate TPC (97.81 ± 4.95 mg GAE/g DM) and higher TFC (212.53 ± 20.36 mg CE/g DM), with multiple medium peaks (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, resorcinol, p-coumaric acid, rutin, naringenin, quercetin). Passiflora incarnata had TPC similar to chamomile (93.72 ± 6.32 mg GAE/g DM) but lower TFC (49.11 ± 0.00 mg CE/g DM), with a major p-coumaric acid peak and additional phenolics (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, resorcinol, catechin, rutin, naringenin, quercetin). These data show distinct yet complementary phenolic signatures and support combined use. Aqueous infusion extracts key polar phenolics relevant to sleep and anxiety with a favorable safety profile.

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Published

2026-05-20

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 01 (2026): Journal of Natural Product Research and Applications

Section

Research article

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Comparative Phytochemical Profiling and HPLC DAD Analysis of Aqueous Infusions from Melissa officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, and Passiflora incarnata as Potential Sedative Agents. (2026). Journal of Natural Product Research and Applications, 6(01), 28-37. https://doi.org/10.46325/jnpra.v6i01.04

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