In-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflamatory activities of Pituranthos chloranthus and Artemisia vulgaris from Tunisia

Pituranthos chloranthus and Artemisia vulgaris L. are two of the most important aromatic and medicinal species from the Apiaceae and Asteraceae families, respectively. They are traditionally used in certain pathologies in which inflammatory processes are involved. The present study investigates the potential of aqueous extracts of Tunisian P. chloranthus and A. vulgaris as a natural alternative source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities using in-vitro techniques. The antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts were evaluated through several assays: capacity for scavenging free radicals (ABTS, DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide); and total antioxidant capacity by ferric reducing power activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) method. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through the lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity. P. chloranthos aqueous extract presented higher concentration of total phenols than A. vulgaris extract, nevertheless higher capacity for scavenging ABTS, superoxide, hydroxyl. and NO free radicals. In the presence of liver homogenate, both extracts had poorer antioxidant activity than in the remaining lipid substrates. P. chloranthos extract had a higher ability for inhibiting lipoxygenase twice higher than A. vulgaris, while it had lower capacity for reducing Fe3+ than P. chloranthos extract. Our results suggest that there are differences of antioxidant activity between both samples, but also the strength for inhibiting the oxidation is highly dependent on the method used.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition, lipid peroxidation inhibition and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants from Morocco

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), hydrolyzes acetylcholine to choline and acetate, thereby terminating this neurotransmitter effect at cholinergic synapses. Therefore, AChE inhibition is used for counterbalance the cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In the present work, in order to find new plant acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, the hydroalcoholic extracts from seventeen medicinal plant species were screened for their acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity, as well as total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoids contents (TFC) and antioxidant activity using ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay, and their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The results revealed that Rumex acetosa, Taraxacum officinale and Hypericum perforatum extracts possessing the highest TPC and TFC, were the most effective in terms of ORAC antioxidant activity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, in addition to their ability to inhibit liposomes peroxidation, suggesting that those plant species may provide a substantial source of secondary metabolites, which act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and may be beneficial in the treatment of AD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Changes in the chemical parameters during the production of água-mel from Portugal

Agua-mel is a honey-based traditional product typically produced in southern Portugal. The evolution of some parameters during its production using two distinct containers (aluminium and stainless steel with a water cooling system) and two heating sources (gas heating and electricity) were evaluated. All parameters, except moisture, increased over time, reaching a 'plateau' after 8 h of heating. Moisture, free acidity, HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural), colour, melanoidins, phenols and glucose depended on the producer and procedure for obtaining agua-mel. Kinetic parameters and correlation coefficients were determined. In general, changes in parameters during agua-mel production followed zero- and/or first-order kinetics, depending on the producer and heating system.Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia; Ministerio da Agricultura, Mar, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Territorio (Portugal) [Programa Apicola Nacional] - Medida 6Ainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum extracts with antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities

Background: Euphorbia is one of the plants most used by herbalists and therapists in Morocco. Objectives: The aerial part of two plant samples (Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum) collected in Morocco was examined for the solvent effect, extraction time, and plant concentration in order to determine the best extraction conditions. Materials and Methods: To achieve this goal, a response surface methodology (RSM) using a full three-level factorial design was used to optimize the conditions for the extraction of antioxidants and a-glucosidase inhibitors. Temperature, time, and plant-to-solvent ratio (PSR) and their linear and quadratic interactions on TPC (total phenol concentration), TFC (total flavonoid concentration), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) trapping activity, and a-glucosidase inhibiting activities were studied. Results: According to desirability functions, the optimum operating conditions to achieve a higher extraction yield of phenols and higher antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity were found by using extraction during 60 min at 30 degrees C using a PSR of 20 mg/mL, whereas a longer extraction time (270 min) was needed for E. resinifera and a higher extraction temperature (50 degrees C), with a lower PSR (10 mg/mL) for E. officinarum. Conclusion: In order to find the best conditions to extract secondary metabolites with biological activity and application in phytotherapy, the appropriate solvent generally used by populations, water in this case, should be used, but the best extraction conditions have to be found in order to enhance the pharmacological actions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Moroccan propolis: a natural antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm against Staphylococcus aureus with no induction of resistance after continuous exposure

This study was performed to evaluate the total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of twenty-four propolis samples from different regions of Morocco. In addition, two samples were screened regarding the antibacterial effect against four Staphylococcus aureus strains. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectra (GC-MS) analysis was done for propolis samples used in antibacterial tests. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC, MBC) were determined. The potential to acquire the resistance after sequential exposure of bacterial strains and the impact of adaptation to propolis on virulence using the Galleria mellonella were evaluated. Additionally, the effects of propolis extract on the bacterial adherence ability and its ability to inhibit the quorum sensing activity were also examined. Among the twenty-four extracts studied, the samples from Sefrou, Outat el Haj, and the two samples marketed in Morocco were the best for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, NO, peroxyl, and superoxide radicals as well as in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide. A strong correlation was found between the amounts of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. Propolis extract at the MIC value (0.36 mg/mL) significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the virulence potential of S. aureus ATCC 6538 and the MRSA strains without leading to the development of resistance in the sequence of continuous exposure. It was able to impair the bacterial biofilm formation. The results have revealed that sample 1 reduces violacein production in a concentration dependent manner, indicating inhibition of quorum sensing. This extract has as main group of secondary metabolites flavonoids (31.9%), diterpenes (21.5%), and phenolic acid esters (16.5%).Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Pest-OE/QUI/UI4023/2011info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Extractive optimization of antioxidants and phenolic compounds from Anacyclus pyrethrum

Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag. is a Moroccan endemic species well appreciated as a remedy against toothache, digestive disorders, and as a tonic agent for the nervous system. This work aims to select the best solvents for extracting antioxidants and optimize their extraction using a surface mixture design. In this study, eleven solvents with different polarities were screened for their efficiency to extract total phenolic compounds and other molecules endowed with antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and total antioxidant activities. The selected solvent was subjected to response surface methodology using a simplex axial mixture design to optimize the extraction of polyphenols and antioxidants. The results showed a significant influence of solvent nature on extraction. Water, ethanol, chloroform, and methanol were the most effective solvents to achieve good polyphenol yields. The best yield is obtained using the tertiary mixture “water-methanol-ethanol”. The anti-radical activity in A. pyrethrum was significantly influenced by the extraction solvent's nature and the mixture's nature. The percentage of inhibition of DPPH was higher in both extracts obtained with the ternary mixture and binary mixtures “water-methanol” and “water-ethanol”. the best total antioxidant capacity was observed for pure water, followed by binary mixtures including water. This study revealed a good synergetic effect between water and both ethanol and methanol on extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the ternary mixture with the following proportions: water 75%; ethanol 11%; methanol 14% was the most efficient

Antioxidant activity of thyme waste extract in O/W emulsions

Thymus vulgaris (thyme) is an aromatic plant and its essential oil has been applied as antimicrobial and antioxidant due to the presence of phenolic compounds. However, after steam distillation, the deodorized plant material is rejected, despite the possible presence of bioactive compounds. Ethanolic thyme waste extract revealed the presence of benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and sinapic acid. This waste thyme extract had the capacity for preventing the formation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products in emulsions O/W (oil in water), constituted by diverse proportions of wheat and almond oils, without interfering with the viscosity parameters, for 10 weeks, at 37 °C. The increasing proportion of almond oil (≥50%) in the emulsion increases its resistance to oxidation, which is improved with the presence of an optimal concentration of tested thyme waste extract (0.02% and 0.04%). The waste thyme extract can, therefore, be used as an antioxidant either in food or pharmaceutical emulsions O/W, replacing the synthetic antioxidants.Agência financiadora Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia-FCT; Portugal UID/BIA/04325/2013-MEDTBIO UID/MAR/00350/2013info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aqueous extracts from tunisian diplotaxis: phenol content, antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities, and impact of exposure to simulated gastrointestinal fluids

Antioxidants have been considered essential for preventing cell damage by scavenging deleterious free radicals. The consumption of antioxidant-rich plants is associated with a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. This study evaluates the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities of aqueous extracts obtained from different parts of Diplotaxis simplex and Diplotaxis harra from Tunisia. The study also aimed to investigate the action of simulated gastrointestinal juice on antioxidant activities of both extracts. The total phenolic, flavone and flavonol, and flavanone and dihydroflavonol contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteau, aluminum chloride and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine colorimetric methods, respectively. The metal ion chelating activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition capacity, and free radical scavenging potential of the extracts towards ABTS (2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), hydroxyl, superoxide and nitric oxide were also evaluated. The action of simulated gastro-intestinal fluids on the flavone and flavonol content and total antioxidant activity of the flower extracts was surveyed. Extracts from the seeds and flowers of D. simplex and D. harra displayed the highest amounts of phenols (2691.7 and 2694.5 mg Caffeic Acid Equivalent (CAE)/100 mg; 3433.4 and 2647.2 mg CAE/100 mg, respectively) and flavonols/flavones (2144.4 and 2061.1 mg Rutin Equivalent (RE)/100 g; 1922.6 and 1461.1 mg RE/100 g, respectively). The flower and seed extracts exhibited the highest rates of antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities. A decrease in the flavonoid content and antioxidant activity was observed after extract exposure to simulated saliva. Antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities were noted to depend on plant species and plant parts. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion is useful in assessing the bio-accessibility of compounds with biological activities from food. The simulated gastrointestinal fluids influenced the flavonoid concentration and antioxidant activity

Preliminary characterization of a Moroccan honey with a predominance of Bupleurum spinosum pollen

Honey with Bupleurum spinosum (zandaz) as a main pollen source has not been the subject of previous detailed study. Therefore, twelve Moroccan samples of this honey were subjected to melissopalynological, physicochemical and microbiological quality characterization, as well as antioxidant activity assessment. From a quality point of view, almost all samples were within the limits established by Codex Alimentarius, and/or the European legislation. All samples presented predominance of B. spinosum pollen (more than 48%). Relatively high levels of trehalose (1.3-4.0 g/100 g) and melezitose (1.5-2.8 g/100 g) were detected. Those sugars, not common in monofloral honeys, could be used as an important factor to discriminate zandaz honey. Flavonoid content correlated positively with the honey color, melanoidin and polyphenol content, and negatively with the IC50 values of scavenging ABTS (2,2' - azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radicals, while proline amount correlated negatively with IC50 values of nitric oxide scavenging activity and chelating power. This correlation supports the use of anti-oxidant activities as important variables for PCA (principal component analysis). Both components explained 70% from the given data, and showed certain homogeneity upon analyzed samples independent of the region, suggesting the importance of B. spinosum nectar in the resulting honey characteristics.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for Research Center [UID/BIM/04773/2013 CBMR 1334, UID/AGR/00239/2013, UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569)]; ERDF through the COMPETE - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI

Biological screening of herbal extracts and essential oil from Plectranthus species: α-amylase and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant and anti-Candida potentials

The phenolic compound content, the antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition potentials of different extracts of the&nbsp;Plectranthus amboinicus,&nbsp;P. barbatus&nbsp;and&nbsp;P. ornatus&nbsp;were evaluated. We also evaluated the influence of plant growth and harvest time on the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of&nbsp;P. amboinicus, its antioxidant and anti-Candida&nbsp;activities and the α-amylase and lipoxygenase inhibitions. The turbo-extract of&nbsp;P. barbatus&nbsp;showed the greatest phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity. No α-amylase inhibition activity was observed in the analyzed extracts, but the turbo-extraction and refluxing extracts possessed high antioxidant activities. Protected cultivation and morning harvest conditions gave the best antioxidant activities, which was associated to the highest carvacrol content.&nbsp;P. amboinicus EO antioxidant activity could contribute to the reduction of oxidative stress in diabetes. Causal&nbsp;Candida&nbsp;strains of diabetic foot ulcers showed sensitivity to&nbsp;P. amboinicus&nbsp;EO.&nbsp;C. albicans&nbsp;and&nbsp;C. dubliniensis&nbsp;were the most sensitive of the selected&nbsp;Candida&nbsp;strains. Turbo-extracts or refluxing of the three species extracts and the EO of&nbsp;P. amboinicus&nbsp;should be considered as a potential candidate for the management the complications of type 2 diabetes