Immunomodulatory effect of anise (Pimpinella anisum) in BALB/c mice

Purpose: The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of anise decoction consumption on lymphocytes activity, complete blood count (CBC) and nitric oxide (NO) production in BALB/c mice.Methods: BALB/c mice were given anise tea instead of drinking water and the effect on selected immune parameters was analyzed after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment.Results: Cell activity of anise treated mice was significantly higher than control group at week 2 as revealed by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR2. The spleen cells of anise treated mice showed a significant higher lymphocyte proliferative response to in vitro challenge with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).compared to controls at week two of treatment. The increase in mouse foot thickness as indicator of delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) was less in anise treated mice compared to control group. Nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages in response to activation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was reduced by anise treatment after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment andno significant changes in CD4 and CD8 were noticed either at week 1 or 2 of treatment.Conclusion: This study provides preclinical evidence that anise possesses immunomodulatory activity when administered orally in mice and selectively activates cell-mediated immune mechanismsKeywords: Immunomodulatory, Anise, Traditional medicin

Phenolics content, antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of Algerian Malva sylvestris

Due to its expected low toxicity to human use, more attention is given worldwide to antioxidants of natural sources. Therefore, the extraction of the total phenolic compounds contained in the leaves of Malva sylvestris and the analysis of the polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins contents were carried out. The antioxidant activity of the hydro-methanolic extract of Malva sylvestris was investigated employing various established in vitro systems including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and the ferric reducing power assay. The antiproliferative activity of plant extract was tested against three tumor cell lines: MCF-7, Hep2 and WEHI using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphynyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Preliminary screening indicated the presence of substances with large therapeutic values: an important content of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins was detected in the tested extract. Our data showed that the extract exhibited high antioxidant properties, which were demonstrated by its ability to scavenge 76.11% of DPPH free radicals, and the elimination of 69.97% of hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 125 µg/ml. In addition, the plant extract showed strong ferric reducing power which was a function of the sample concentration. For the antiproliferative activity, the results demonstrated that the plant extract significantly inhibited tumor cell growth and colony formation in a concentration-dependent manner. The toxicity percentage of extract at 125 µg/ml on MCF-7, Hep2 and WEHI was found in the order of 45.20%, 62.62% and 82.04%, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.254591

Effect of Salvadora persica Linn root aqueous extract on oral epithelial dysplasia and oral cancer cell lines

Purpose: To evaluate the potential chemo-preventive and anti-oral cancer effects of Salvadora persica (S. persica) on oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Methods: Aqueous S. persica root extracts were prepared at concentrations up to 15.75 mg/mL and applied to oral epithelial dysplasia (DOK), oral squamous cell carcinoma (PE/CA-PJ15), and periodontal ligament fibroblast (PDL) cell lines. The effect of the extract on cell survival and proliferation was determined using MTT assay, while its effect on apoptosis in DOK and PE/CA-PJ15 lines were investigated by measuring apoptotic index using Hoechst stain. Results: In DOK and PE/CA-PJ15 cell lines, cytotoxicity was significant at extract concentrations of 11.25, 13.50 and 15.75 mg/mL, while extract concentration of 13.50 mg/mL produced significant cytotoxic effects on PDL cell line (p < 0.05). The percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased at extract concentration of 11.25 mg/mL for both DOK and PE/CA-PJ15 cell lines (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Significant cytotoxic effects of aqueous root extract of S. persica appeared at a lower concentration in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral cancer cell lines than in normal PDL cell line. These results suggest the potential of S. persica for preventing oral cancer

In vivo assessment of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Phlomis crinita polyphenols

The leaves of Phlomis crinita are traditionally used in Algerian medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions. In order to find a potential application for this native species, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects were investigated on various in vivo experimental models, and the total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were determined. The carrageenan-induced paw edema method was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract in vivo, while the in vivo antioxidant effect was assessed by estimating oxidative stress parameters (MDA, CAT, and SOD). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of substances with high therapeutic values. In vivo anti-inflammatory studies show that plant extract has a significant and dose-dependent impact on the inhibition of edema formation. The maximum percentage inhibition value was 87.79% after 4 h at a concentration of 500 mg/kg. Moreover, the administration of the extract significantly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the livers of mice. It significantly (p ˂ 0.05) increased CAT and SOD activities and significantly (p ˂ 0.05) decreased the MDA level activity, compared to the control inflammatory group. Our findings support that Phlomis crinita can be considered as a promising source of therapeutic bioactive compounds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.786033

Phenolics content, antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of Algerian Malva sylvestris

Due to its expected low toxicity to human use, more attention is given worldwide to antioxidants of natural sources. Therefore, the extraction of the total phenolic compounds contained in the leaves of Malva sylvestris and the analysis of the polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins contents were carried out. The antioxidant activity of the hydro-methanolic extract of Malva sylvestris was investigated employing various established in vitro systems including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and the ferric reducing power assay. The antiproliferative activity of plant extract was tested against three tumor cell lines: MCF-7, Hep2 and WEHI using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphynyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Preliminary screening indicated the presence of substances with large therapeutic values: an important content of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins was detected in the tested extract. Our data showed that the extract exhibited high antioxidant properties, which were demonstrated by its ability to scavenge 76.11% of DPPH free radicals, and the elimination of 69.97% of hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 125 µg/ml. In addition, the plant extract showed strong ferric reducing power which was a function of the sample concentration. For the antiproliferative activity, the results demonstrated that the plant extract significantly inhibited tumor cell growth and colony formation in a concentration-dependent manner. The toxicity percentage of extract at 125 µg/ml on MCF-7, Hep2 and WEHI was found in the order of 45.20%, 62.62% and 82.04%, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.254591

In Vitro anti- Helicobacter pylori and urease inhibitory effects of polyphenolic extracts of local herbs from Algeria

Gastritis and peptic ulcers are considered as major health problems worldwide with more than 80% of chronic active gastritis are due to the pathogenic bacterium H. pylori. Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance among clinical strains of H. pylori, alternative approaches are increasingly needed. Methanolic extracts of Algerian originated Mentha rotundifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Malva sylvestris, Inula viscosa, Achillea odorata and Utrica dioica and their contents of phenolics and flavonoids were evaluated for the in vitro antimicrobial activity against H. pylori in addition to its associated urease. The antimicrobial activity and determination of the MICs of these extracts against control strain of H. pylori was performed using standard agar diffusion method.  The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in M. rotundifolia and E. globulus while M. sylvestris showed the least phenolic contents. In addition, polyphenolic fractions exhibited anti-H. pylori activity of all of the herbal extracts with  highest activity for E. globulus (MIC 0.094 mg/ml), I. viscosa, (0.375 mg/ml) and U. dioica (0.75 mg/ml), low antimicrobial activity was revield for  A. odorata, M. rotundifolia and Malva sylvestris respectively (MIC > 1 mg/ml).  For the urease activity, all extracts showed inhibitory effect at concentration of 250 mg/ml. However, the range of the urease inhibitory concentrations varied significantly among the extracts with highest activity and widest range found for E. globulus (70-90% at concentrations 8-125 mg/ml). In conclusion, the presence of potential antimicrobial activities in the polyphenolic extracts of medicinal plants against H. pylori and its associated urease would open the door for investigation of novel agents for the control of H. pylori infections

In vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of phenolic components of Algerian Achillea odorata leaves

In this study, methanol extract from Achillea odorata was evaluated for its phenolic contents using Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, and antioxidant activity using: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhidrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing activity of H2O2 and ferric reducing power assay. The total phenolic content was determined as gallic acid (GAE) equivalent. Flavonoids and flavonols contents were determined as quercetin (QE) equivalents. The cytotoxicity of the plant extract was tested against three tumor cell lines: MCF-7, Hep2 and WEHI using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphynyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Preliminary screening was concluded in the presence of substances with large therapeutic values. The total phenolic content confirmed the presence of total phenolics in the extract and showed strong association with antioxidant activity. An important content of flavonoids and flavonols was also detected. The results of the antioxidant activities obtained indicate that A. odorata recorded a good capacity. For the cytotoxic activity, the results showed the plant extract significantly inhibited tumor cell growth and colony formation at various concentrations

IL-5 is essential for vaccine-induced protection and for resolution of primary infection in murine filariasis

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Tetracycline therapy targets intracellular bacteria in the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis and results in filarial infertility

Intracellular bacteria have been described in several species of filarial nematodes, but their relationships with, and effects on, their nematode hosts have not previously been elucidated. In this study, intracellular bacteria were observed in tissues of the rodent parasite Litomosoides sigmodontis by transmission electron microscopy and by immunohistochemistry using antiendobacterial heat shock protein-60 antisera. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene, isolated by PCR, showed a close relationship to the rickettsial Wolbachia endobacteria of arthropods and to other filarial intracellular bacteria. The impact of tetracycline therapy of infected rodents on L. sigmodontis development was analyzed in order to understand the role(s) these bacteria might play in filarial biology. Tetracycline therapy, when initiated with L. sigmodontis infection, eliminated the bacteria and resulted in filarial growth retardation and infertility. If initiated after microfilarial development, treatment reduced filarial fertility. Treatment with antibiotics not affecting rickettsial bacteria did not inhibit filarial development. Acanthocheilonema viteae filariae were shown to lack intracellular bacteria and to be insensitive to tetracycline. These results suggest a mutualistic interaction between the intracellular bacteria and the filarial nematode. Investigation of such a mutualism in endobacteria-containing human filariae is warranted for a potential chemotherapeutic exploitation