Analysis of Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, Acute Toxicity, and Antinociceptive Properties of Aqueous Extract of Origanum majorana L.

Phytotherapy, the use of plant-derived compounds for medicinal purposes, is increasingly recognized as a vital component of modern therapeutics. This study investigates the aqueous extract of Origanum majorana L. (AEOM), evaluating its phytochemical composition, safety, antioxidant activity, and pharmacological effects. Analysis via LC-MS/MS identified a variety of phenolic compounds, with gallic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid standing out for their pronounced bioactive properties. Quantitative analysis revealed that AEOM contains significant amounts of polyphenols (186.06 ± 0.1 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (72.3 ± 0.9 mg QE/g), and condensed tannins (4.49 ± 0.08 mg CE/g). The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 2.23 ± 0.03 mg/mL in the DPPH assay, and demonstrated considerable reducing power (FRAP value of 1.9 ± 0.01 mg Fe²⁺/g). Pharmacological evaluation showed that AEOM significantly reduced pain in an animal model, suggesting potential analgesic properties. Acute toxicity studies indicated no adverse effects on kidney and liver function or blood parameters at doses up to 800 mg/kg. The analgesic effect is likely mediated by flavonoids in the extract, which may inhibit pain pathways. These findings suggest that O. majorana has promising therapeutic applications, particularly as a natural analgesic agent.