Phytochemical characterization and in vitro, in vivo, and in silico evaluation of antihyperglycemic, antibacterial, and insecticidal activities and acute safety of decoctions of Lavandula pedunculata (mill.) cav. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. from Ifrane, Morocco.

Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill., widely used in Moroccan traditional medicine, are valued for managing metabolic, microbial, and inflammatory disorders. This study evaluated their physicochemical composition, bioactive compounds, safety, and pharmacological activities in decoctions prepared from samples collected in Ifrane, Morocco. Mineral composition and phenolic profiling, antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, antihyperglycemic effects (oral glucose tolerance test), α-amylase inhibition, larvicidal activity, molecular docking, as well as the evaluation of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties, and acute toxicity were assessed. L. pedunculata showed higher magnesium (35%) and phenolic content (25.2%), correlating with stronger antibacterial activity (S. aureus: 26.8 mm; E. coli: 24 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values confirmed the bactericidal activity of the decoctions, with L. pedunculata being more active (20 mg/mL) than L. angustifolia (40 mg/mL). Both species reduced postprandial glucose at 60-90 min and inhibited α-amylase (L. pedunculata IC50 = 0.089 mg/mL). Larvicidal activity was higher for L. pedunculata (LC50 = 328 ppm). Molecular docking analysis suggested that rutin exhibited strong binding affinity towards α-amylase (-8.8 kcal/mol) and dihydrofolate reductase (-7.1 kcal/mol), with favourable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties. No acute toxicity was observed at 2 g/kg. These findings support the traditional use and highlight the pharmaceutical potential of these species.