Argania spinosa Leaves and Branches: Antiaggregant, Anticoagulant, Antioxidant Activities and Bioactive Compounds Quantification

Thrombocytes, also known as platelets, are crucial in maintaining the balance between blood clotting. Platelet hyperactivity and oxidative stress are the primary factors contributing to cardiovascular complications. Antithrombotic therapy remains one of the most effective treatments, but various potential side effects hinder its effectiveness, including the risk of haemorrhage. Intense research has been conducted on medicinal plants to discover the natural antithrombotic compounds. Argania spinosa, commonly known as the argan tree or argan oil tree, is a native species of southwestern Morocco. This study evaluated the primary and secondary hemostasis and antioxidant activity of leaf and branch aqueous extracts of A. spinosa and also assessed the phytochemical composition of these extracts. Platelet aggregation assay was performed using washed platelets stimulated with thrombin. For plasmatic coagulation, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were measured using the poor plasma method. Bleeding time was evaluated by inducing bleeding at the tip of a mouse tail. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined through the DPPH, β-carotene, and FRAP methods. The presence or absence of the secondary metabolites was carried out with the help of specific reagents, and the quantitative analysis was carried out using spectrophotometric and colorimetric methods. The study results revealed the presence of phenols, total flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, and coumarins type of secondary metabolites in both types of aqueous extracts and a higher concentration of these was recorded in the leaves extracts. Both aqueous extracts significantly reduced in vitro thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, extended tail bleeding time, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time and exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity. The leaf extract of A. spinosa exerts significant effects against thrombotic manifestations and could be a promising source of new antithrombotic compounds

Chemical composition, vasorelaxant, antioxidant and antiplatelet effects of essential oil of Artemisia campestris L. from Oriental Morocco

Background: Artemisia campestris L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat hypertension and many other diseases. Hence, this study is aimed to analyze the essential oil of A. campestris L (AcEO) and to investigate the antiplatelet, antioxidant effects and the mechanisms of its vasorelaxant effect. Methods: The chemical composition of AcEO was elucidated using GC/MS analysis. Then, the antioxidant effect was tested on DPPH radical scavenging and on the prevention of β-carotene bleaching. The antiplatelet effect was performed on the presence of the platelet agonists: thrombin and ADP. The mechanism of action of the vasorelaxant effect was studied by using the cellular blockers specified to explore the involvement of NO/GC pathway and in the presence of calcium channels blockers and potassium channels blockers. Results: AcEO is predominated by the volatiles: spathulenol, ß-eudesmol and p-cymene. The maximal antioxidant effect was obtained with the dose 2 mg/ml of AcEO. The dose 1 mg/ml of AcEO showed a maximum antiplatelet effect of, respectively 49.73% ±9.54 and 48.20% ±8.49 on thrombin and ADP. The vasorelaxation seems not to be mediated via NOS/GC pathway neither via the potassium channels. However, pretreatment with calcium channels blockers attenuated this effect, suggesting that the vasorelaxation is mediated via inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels and the activation of SERCA pumps of reticulum plasma. Conclusion: This study confirms the antioxidant, antiplatelet and vasorelaxant effects of A.campestris L essential oil. However, the antihypertensive use of this oil should be further confirmed by the chemical fractionation and subsequent bio-guided assays

Artemisia campestris L.:Ethnomedical, phytochemical and pharmacological review

Artemisia campestris is a perennial herb, commonly known as field wormwood. it is widespread in Asia, North America, Europe and north Africa. the different parts of this plant are used as anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, emmenagogue, antivenom, and to treat digestive and cutaneous problems. an exhaustive bibliographic research of this plant has been carried out by means of scientific engines and databases like Google scholar, PubMed, Sciencedirect and sciFinder; as a result, it has been found that this herb possesses a rich phytochemical content and a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antimutagenic , antivenom and antitumor effects. In an aim to highlight the importance of A. campestris L., this review has been established by discussing its ethnomedicinal, morphological, ecological, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies

Evaluation of antidiabetic properties of cactus pear seed oil in rats

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae)) is a medicinal plant widely used to treat diabetes. This work investigates the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of cactus pear seed oil (CPSO), its mechanism of action, and any toxic effects

ANTIDIARRHEAL ACTIVITY OF THYMUS ALGERIENSIS BOISS AND REUT AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON RATS AND MICE

Objective: Thymus algeriensis (Lamiaceae) used in Moroccan popular medicine has been investigated for its antidiarrheal effects.Methods: Antidiarrheal effects of the aerial-part Thymus algeriensis aqueous extract was carried out by using two standard methods of bioassay: Castor oil-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal transit test.Results: The pre-treatment of rats with the 50 mg/Kg aqueous extract produced a significant inhibition against castor oil induced-diarrhea and fecal output; furthermore the extract significantly decreased the propulsive movement of the charcoal meal in the mice small intestines. The extract when administered at higher doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) caused increased peristalsis in charcoal fed animals and exhibited a less significant reduction in fecal output and castor oil-induced diarrheas than 50 mg/ml dose.Conclusion: The antidiarrheal effects of the extract may explain the rationale for the use of the plant in traditional medicine as a popular antidiarrheal recipe.Â

ANTIMOTOLITY EFFECT OF ORGANIC EXTRACTS OF ANTHEMIS MAURITIANA MAIRE & SENNEN FLOWERS ON THE RODENT ISOLATED JEJUNUM

 Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the organic extracts of Anthemis mauritiana (AM) Maire and Sennen (Asteraceae)flowers on the contractile responses of the rabbit and rat jejunums and its possible mechanisms.Methods: Soxhlet extraction with different successive solvents (petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) were prepared andevaluated by preliminary phytochemical test. Antispasmodic effects of the extracts were evaluated against spontaneous contractions of rabbit and ratjejunum contracted by carbachol and high K+ concentration.Results: The phytochemical screening analysis revealed that the extracts of AM flowers contain flavonoids and tannins with variable quantities.Petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts showed the most relaxant effects in the rabbit jejunum at concentrations with IC50 value of 9.31±2.65 μg/mland 25.04±5.87 μg/ml respectively. Ethyl acetate showed a total inhibition at 1 mg/ml, but the methanol extract at 5 mg/ml. In contrast, the residualaqueous extract was a reverse activity. And also all extracts caused an inhibitory effect on both K+ (75 mM) and CCh (10−6 M )induced contractions inthe rat jejunum except aqueous fraction. The extracts that have antispasmodic activity induced a marked depression on cumulative concentrationresponsecurve for carbachol and CaCl2.Conclusions: The results indicate that the antispasmodic effect decreased with the polarity of the organic extracts, but the aqueous fraction hada reverse effect. These results explain and confirm the popular use of genus of this plant for the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbances, andencourage studies on new compounds, in order to obtain new antispasmodic agents.Keywords: Anthemis mauritiana, Organic extract, Antispasmodic, Smooth muscle.Â

Exploring Carob (<i>Ceratonia siliqua</i> L.): A Comprehensive Assessment of Its Characteristics, Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemical Aspects, and Pharmacological Activities

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is currently considered one of the most valuable fruit and forest trees in various fields and sectors of activity. It is a versatile plant, belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is widely used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders, given that all its parts (leaves, flowers, pods, seeds, wood, bark, and roots) are useful and hold value in many areas. Its importance has increased significantly in recent years. Originating from the Middle East, it is recognized for its ecological and industrial significance. Previous studies conducted on Ceratonia siliqua L. have revealed the presence of several compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, carbohydrates, minerals, and proteins. The carob tree demonstrates antihypertensive, antidepressant, anti-obesity, and antihyperglycemic activities. This plant is known for its medicinal and therapeutic virtues. Moreover, it is particularly interesting to consider the pharmacological activities of the major phytochemical compounds present in the different extracts of this plant, such as phenolic acids, for example, coumaric and gallic acids, as well as flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin. Therefore, this review aims to analyze some aspects of this plant, especially the taxonomy, cytogeography, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Ceratonia siliqua L., in addition to its biological properties

Antihyperglycemic potential of the Lavandula stoechas aqueous extract via inhibition of digestive enzymes and reduction of intestinal glucose absorption

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disorder affecting global populations. Lavandula stoechas from Moroccan traditional medicine is used for its potential anti-diabetic effects. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the antihyperglycemic impact of the aqueous extract of L. stoechas (AqLs) and explore its mechanisms. Methods: The study employed a glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on normal and diabetic Wistar rats, administering AqLs at 150 mg/kg. In vitro, AqLs was tested against α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, confirmed in vivo using normal and Allx-diabetic rats. The extract’s impact on intestinal d-glucose absorption was assessed using the jejunum segment perfusion technique at 250 mg/kg in situ. Albino mice were used to assess toxicity. Results: AqLs significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia (P < 0.001) due to glucose overload. It inhibited pancreatic α-amylase (IC50: 0.485 mg/mL) and intestinal α-glucosidase (IC50: 168 µg/mL) in vitro. Oral AqLs at 150 mg/kg reduced hyperglycemia induced by sucrose and starch in normal and diabetic rats. It also lowered (P < 0.001) intestinal glucose absorption in situ at 250 mg/kg. Oral acute toxicity tests on Albino mice indicated no adverse effects at different doses. Conclusion: to summarize, L. stoechas has evident antihyperglycemic effects attributed to inhibiting intestinal glucose absorption and key monosaccharide digestion enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase