Phytochemical Profiling and Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Juniperus Squamata Extracts

The phytochemical profile and bioactivity of Juniperus squamata aerial parts were investigated using GC–MS, LC–MS, and UPLC. The hexane extract was rich in sesquiterpenes, mainly epicubebol (28.93%), while the ethyl acetate extract contained α-pimaric acid (17.48%) and verticiol (5.92%). Ajmaline was detected in the methanolic extract. Antibacterial activity (MIC assay) against E. coli, M. luteus, K. pneumoniae, and S. pneumoniae showed strongest inhibition for the ethyl acetate extract (6.25–50 µg mL-1). It also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (≈196 mg AAE/g). Molecular docking indicated strong binding of methanolic constituents to DNA gyrase (ΔG = –8.4 kcal mol-1).