Allelopathic potential of Pinus halepensis needles

The green and mature senescent needles of Pinus halepensis from the Tunisian pine forests of Bizerte, Tabarka, Seliana and Oueslatia were evaluated based on their phytochemicals contents for allelopathic potential on seed germination and seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Aqueous extracts of green needles of Seliana and Oueslatia regions, significantly delayed the germination and adversely affected the seedlings growth. In Pot culture studies, mature and green needles powder or soil treatment with needles aqueous extracts were also very inhibitory to seedling growth. The phenolic acids compositions of green and mature needles were determined using HPLC. Analysis of the needles for their phytochemical content showed that the aqueous extracts of green needles contained higher amount of phenolic acids than in mature needles. The phenolics contents in the needles also varied with ecological sites. Needles from Seliana and Oueslatia regions had higher amount of phenolics than those from Tabarka and Bizerte regions. The aqueous extract of green needles from Seliana region had higher levels of gallic acid and 2, 4-D Pestanal, while, the mature needles from Seliana had higher level of cinnamic acid. The green and mature needle extracts were also analyzed for chemical components by GC and GC-MS and 47-compounds were identified, representing 89% of the total compounds, with beta-caryophyllene, a-pinene and myrcene being the predominant

Antioxidant activity of extracts obtained by high-pressure extraction procedures from Asparagus stipularis Forssk

Roots and rhizomes of Asparagus stipularis Forssk were separately extracted using supercritical CO2 extraction (SC–CO2) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and their Total Phenols Content and antioxidant potential was investigated. The results indicated that the roots and rhizomes are a potential source of natural antioxidants. The PLE method gave better extraction yields than SFE and its fractions present the highest antioxidant activity. Direct evaluation of antioxidant capacity using the QUENCHER procedure showed that also the solid residue of the plant material remaining after the SC–CO2 and PLE may be of interest as a source of valuable phytochemicals

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GM-MS) analysis and biological activities of the aerial part of Cleome amblyocarpa Barr. and Murb

Cleome amblyocarpa Barr. and Murb is a medicinal plant widespread in North Africa and widely used in Tunisia to treat diabetes and colic. The non-volatile (polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and flavonols) and volatile compounds (GC-MS) of C. amblyocarpa leaves and stems have been studied. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, and cytotoxic activities of hydroalcoholic extracts of C. amblyocarpa leaves and stems were also investigated. The major volatile components were β-caryophyllene (46.9%), eugenol (25.6%), ethyl 3-methylpentanoate (16.2%), 7-epi-silphiperfol-5-ene (11.0%), and α-copaene (7.0%). The antioxidant activity has been evaluated using various in vitro assays, such as DPPH free radical scavenging activity, iron-chelating capability, and ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation (TBARS). The antibacterial and antifungal effectiveness of leaves and stems parts of Cleome amblyocarpa were investigated by means of the disc diffusion and microdilution techniques. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of C. amblyocarpa on A549 and H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cells was determined using the crystal violet assay. The acute toxicity of the extracts on Swiss albino mice at the doses of 3000, 1500, and 500 mg/kg body weight was evaluated. The analgesic effect of leaves and stems extract was also determined by means of the acetic acid induced writhing test. The results indicated that the leaves have higher phenols, and flavonoids contents and potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities in comparison to stem. In addition, the aerial part of C. amblyocarpa did not cause signs of toxicity or death in animals at doses up to 3000 mg/kg and have a significant analgesic activity

Protective potential of Opuntia microdasys flower decoction on fructose-alloxan-induced diabetic rats on kidney and pancreas: chemical and immunohistochemical analyses

Diabetes is a serious condition that is linked to the development of oxidative stress causing among many other effects, kidney failure and pancreatic disorders. However, traditional plant-based remedies can be considered an alternative to diabetes healing. In this context, this study was oriented towards evaluating the protective effect of the flowers of Opuntia microdasys Lehm. collected in Tunisia at a biochemical and histological level on kidneys and pancreas of a type 2 diabetic rats. Renal and pancreatic toxicities were induced in diabetic male Wistar rats by fructose alloxan. Diabetic rats were treated with an extract obtained from flowers collected at post-flowering stage (OFP) (100 and 200 mg kg−1 bw) and metformin (100 mg kg−1 bw) for 28 days. Oral administration of OFP at 200 mg kg−1 bw showed significant reduction of the uric acid, urea, creatinine, amylase, lipase, and glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc). The levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx were increased, while protein carbonyls and lipid peroxidation TBARS levels were reduced in the kidney and pancreas. The altered kidney and pancreas histology were restored in rats treated with OFP. Thus, the present study demonstrated that OFP has antihyperglycemic activity in fructose-alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Roots and rhizomes of wild Asparagus: Nutritional composition, bioactivity and nanoencapsulation of the most potent extract

The nutritional composition and bioactive properties of roots and rhizomes of Asparagus stipularis were evaluated. Antioxidant activity of extracts obtained by infusion was evaluated using free radicals scavenging and reducing power methods. Porcine liver primary cell was used to check the hepatotoxicity of infusions. Results revealed that Asparagus samples are likely a source of nutrients, such as dietary fibre and essential fatty acids. HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS characterization of infusions allowed the identification and quantitation of 7 phenolic compounds, all hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives, with caffeic acid as the most abundant. Roots infusion contained the highest amounts of these compounds. It also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in all assays, with EC50 values of 0.44 ± 0.01, 0.98 ± 0.03 and 0.64 ± 0.01 mg/mL for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, respectively, with no toxicity towards PLP2 primary cell cultures (GI50 > 400 μg/mL). PLGA nanoparticles loaded with root extract were prepared using solvent-evaporation double emulsion method. Nanoparticles size was about 260 nm and a polydispersity index around 0.1, with a zeta potential of about -36 mV, as well as a good encapsulation efficiency of approximately 83%. Their morphology was analysed by SEM and spherical polymeric nanoparticles with a smooth surface were observed. FTIR and DSC were also performed, which allowed corroborating the efficacy of the encapsulation and to confirm the production of a stable and robust system to load Asparagus extracts. The developed nanoparticles are expected to be used as delivery systems for bioactive compounds of A. stipularis and they could be used as an innovative dietary supplement