The aim of this research was to investigate the variation regarding the chemical composition and biological activities of needles essential oils (EOs) of P. halepensis. Chemical profiles demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) variability among the different EOs. The main identified compounds were caryophyllene (48.77 ± 2.26), phenyl isovalerate (22.22 ± 2.26), β-myrcene (15.55 ± 5.65) and α-pinene (14.52 ± 2.26). Further, it was shown that EO from Tabouba (Tab) displayed the highest DPPH scavenging (IC50 = 73.03 mg/mL), anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 23.29 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibition activities (IC50 = 254.45 µg/mL). While Elmahres (Elm) exhibited the most potent ABTS radical's inhibition (IC50 = 197.87 mg/mL). For the cytotoxic capacities, Kettana (Ket) was the most efficient against breast cancer MCF-7 cell line with IC50 value better than doxorubicin used as positive control. Obtained results suggest that EO of P. halepensis could be used as a source of bioactive compounds.
Keywords: Pinus halepensis; anti-diabetic activity; anti-inflammatory activity; antioxidant activities; essential oil composition.