Six medicinal halophytes widely represented in North Africa and commonly used in traditional
medicine were screened for pharmacological properties to set out new promising sources of natural
ingredients for cosmetic or nutraceutical applications. Thus, Citrullus colocynthis, Cleome
arabica, Daemia cordata, Haloxylon articulatum, Pituranthos scoparius and Scorzonera undulata were
examined for their in vitro antioxidant (DPPH scavenging and superoxide anion-scavenging,
β-carotene bleaching inhibition and iron-reducing tests), antibacterial (microdi- lution method,
against four human pathogenic bacteria) and anti-tyrosinase activities. Besides, their aromatic
com- position was determined by RP-HPLC. H. articulatum shoot extracts exhibited the strongest
antioxidant activity and inhibited efficiently the growth of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia
coli. P. scoparius and C. arabica inhibited slightly monophenolase, whereas H. articulatum was the
most efficient inhibitor of diphenolase activity. Furthermore, H. articulatum exhibited the highest
aromatic content (3.4 % DW), with dopamine as the major com- pound. These observations suggest that
shoot extract of H. articulatum, and to a lesser extent of C. arabica, could otic as well as new
natural skin lightening agents. Also, possible implication of aromatic compounds in anti-tyrosinase activity is discussed
