Introduction Antioxidants are in the form of food supplements or in the diet, they are essential to prevent many diseases. They are substances that act against oxidation, a process that leads to the formation of free radicals in the body. These free radicals are harmful and can, for example, contribute to the development of different types of cancers. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are 2 food additives that protect fatty foods from oxidation. 1 They are also found in cosmetics for the same reason. Studies have shown that both these synthetic antioxidants affect the nervous system and increase the risk of allergies and certain cancers. 2 Many studies are increasingly interested in the therapeutic effects of naturally occurring antioxidants which are supposed to protect living organisms from oxidative damages. 3 The use of essential oils is expanding in several sectors and in many industrial fields. Several essential oils have been attributed to good antioxidant properties, which can be exploited to protect other materials, such as food, from rancidity or to prevent the oxidative stress that contributes to the appearance of degenerative diseases. 4 Essential oils and their components are known to possess antioxidant activities. 4 The essential oil of basil, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, oregano, and thyme possesses antioxidant properties due to their major terpenes such as thymol and carvacrol. 5 In addition, the essential oil of Melissa officinalis, whose main components were terpenoids such as neral, geranial, citronellal, isomenthone, and menthone showed free radical scavenging activity. 6 Solenostemma oleifolium belongs to the family of Asclepiadaceae and grows in the desert areas of Mali, Libya and Egypt. It is also widely distributed in Algerian Sahara. This species grows in dry condition areas and is widespread at the foot of the cliffs and in rocky areas. It is frequently used in traditional medicine against rheumatism, stomach pain,
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