Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil Components and Antiproliferative Activity of Trans-Tiliroside Compound from an Endemic Desert Species Thymelaea microphylla Coss. et Dur.

Essential oil components of the aerial parts of Thymelaea microphylla was subjected to evaluate the antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and showed a high antibacterial activity against E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 2000μg /ml. The antiproliferative activity of fraction (7) from Thymelaea microphylla showed significant inhibitory activity on HeLa cells and moderate antiproliferative activity of trans-tiliroside compound was investigated in vitro on HeLa cells (human uterus carcinoma) activity and C6 cells (rat brain tumor).