Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of different extracts from aerial parts of Zilla spinosa (L.) Prantl

Zilla spinosa L. is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Algerian phytotherapy against urinary lithiasis. The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of different extracts from the aerial part of this plant. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was examined by two different methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC). The anti-inflammatory activity of Z. spinosa was determined by the protein denaturation method. The qualitative phytochemical screening shows the presence of the majority of secondary metabolites in the aerial parts except anthraquinones and steroids, on the other hand, the root is characterized by the absence of several metabolites except tannins and coumarins.The ethyl acetate fraction displayed the highest antioxidant capacity (IC50 value: 10.47±0.18 μg/mL in DPPH assay, and A0.50 value: 40.89 ± 0.86 μg/mL in CUPRAC). The percentage of inhibition of BSA denaturation (0.2%) is proportional to the concentration of the different plant extracts, where the highest percentage was recorded in the concentrations of ethyl acetate 500; 250 μg/mL compared to Diclofenac (75 mg/3 mL), in contrast to the aqueous extract which gave non-significant results compared to the standards (p≥5℅). In comparison to the standards used in this study, the ethyl acetate extract demonstrated better DPPH inhibitory activity, while all organic extracts demonstrated lower CUPRAC inhibitory activity but higher anti-inflammatory activity

A review of symptomatic leg length inequality following total hip arthroplasty

Leg length inequality (LLI) following total hip replacement is a complication which features increasingly in the recent literature. The definition of LLI is complicated by lack of consensus regarding radiological measurement, clinical measurement and the incomplete relationship between LLI and associated symptoms. This paper reviews 79 reports relating to LLI post hip replacement, detailing definitions and classification and highlighting patient populations prone to symptomatic LLI. While there is no universal definition of LLI, there is a broad consensus that less than 10 mm of difference on AP view plain radiographs is clinically acceptable. There are few techniques described that consistently produce a postoperative LLI of less than this magnitude. Where postoperative LLI exists, lengthening appears to cause more problems than shortening. In cases of mild LLI, non-surgical management produces adequate outcomes in the majority of cases, with functional LLI cases doing better than those with true LLI. Operative correction is effective in half of cases, even where nerve palsy is present, and remains an important option of last resort. Poor outcomes in patients with LLI may be minimised if individuals at risk are identified and counselled appropriately

Presence and role of trace elements in urinary calculi

International audienceAim. - To assess the possible nature and role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of urinary stones. Material and method. - A series of 76 calculi from the East-Algerian region has been investigated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for chemical analysis and X-ray fluorescence for detecting trace elements. Results. - Among the detected trace elements, Zn, Sr, Pb, Cu, Rb and Se, only the first three had significant values. Overall, the calcium components, namely calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, were the most loaded by these elements contrary to organic components such as uric acid and cystine, which had low contents. Conclusion. - The correlation of contents of Zn and Sr with the stone components (carbapatite, weddellite and whewellite) suggests an adsorption of these trace elements in the case of calcium stones rather than a catalytic process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

Anti-virulence properties of Mulinum crassifolium Phil. against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

International audienc

Identification of alkylsalicylic acids in Lentisk oil (

Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) is widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin. Its fruit oil is used in traditional medicine to treat burns, skin impairments as well as inflammatory diseases as soothing massage or internal use. An increased interest is spotted lately with several commercial brands are spun portraying the benefits of this oil but with no stringent regulations to ascertain its safe use as an edible or cosmeceutical product. This work concerned the investigation of secondary metabolites presents in Pistacia lentiscus fruits oil using both GC-MS and HPLC-DAD-MS technics, and the evaluation of cytotoxicity on human normal dermal fibroblasts to assess safety of use as cosmetic ingredient. This study stands as the first one to report the identification of alkylsalicylic acids in fruits oil and unsaponifiable fraction of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil which calls for therefore, quantification of alkylsalicylic acids, known as skin irritants, in Pistacia lentiscus oil, used as nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals by manufacturers