Antioxidant, cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Pistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae) leaf and fruit extracts

International audienceIntroduction : Pistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae) is used in Algeria for the treatment of inflammation, burns and gastrointestinal complaints. The present work was designed to establish the rational for the medical use of P. lentiscus, especially to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and anticancer activities of leaf and fruit extracts and their fractions.Methods : The antioxidant activity was assessed using the ORAC test, and the cytoprotective effect on H2O2-induced oxidative stress was also investigated. Anti-inflammatory activity was examined by measuring the secretion of interleukin-1β by macrophages exposed to ATP or H2O2. The anticancer potential of the crude extracts against melanoma (B16F10) and mammary (EMT6) cell lines was equally evaluated. UPLC–MS analysis was carried out for compound identification.Results : The crude extracts of leaf and fruit exhibited strong antioxidant activity in the ORAC assay and showed significant cytoprotective effect with maximum protection at 100 μg/mL increasing cell viability by 108.25 ± 1.73 and 104.13 ± 0.97%, respectively. Fractions obtained from fruit extracts were ineffective, while the hydro-alcoholic-eluted fraction 3 of leaf displayed a significant cytoprotective effect. Leaf extract (100 μg/mL) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, compared to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Moreover, leaf and fruit extracts inhibited the growth of B16F10 cells (IC50 = 56.40 and 58.04 μg/mL, respectively). Spectral analysis allowed the identification of six flavonol glycosides and five phenolic acids.Conclusion : Results obtained in this study indicate that P. lentiscus extracts exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, in accordance with the traditional uses of the plant

Ind. crops prod.

Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardeaceae), a largely distributed plant in the Mediterranean region, has long been used in human food, pharmaceutical industry and traditional medicine. P. lentiscus leaves are well known as a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols that may play a potential role in the prevention of neurodegeneration. Aluminium is a puissant neurotoxin metal; is proposed to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study aims to examine the neuroprotective effect of P. lentiscus L. leaves extract (PL) on behavioral, histological and biochemical impairments caused by Al in male albinos mice. First, Al (100 ppm) and PL (150 and 300 ppm) were co-administered daily for two months to the mice. The extract significantly reversed all Al effects; it decreased the anxiety in head-dipping, black/ white and elevated plus maze tests, improved memory performance in Morris water maze test and inhibited histological alterations. On the other hand, in vitro study was added to determine the active principles of PL and to clarify their mode of action in the neuroprotective effect. The extract and its phenolic compounds (Myricetin rhamnoside, quercetin rhamnoside, gallic acid, myricetin and quercetin) were tested against Al-activated iron-induced lipid peroxidation in synaptosomal membrane. Results showed that PL and its bioactive compounds had a dose dependent effect where the highest effect was obtained with myricetin rhamnoside (IC50 = 0.04 mM). Therefore, PL is a source of phenolics possessing a neuroprotective potential which is validated by their ability to reverse the toxic effects caused by Al

Anti-Candida albicans biofilm activity of extracts from two selected indigenous Algerian plants. Clematis flammula and Fraxinus angustifolia

Candida albicans biofilm is associated with high rates of morbidity and resistance to antifungals. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-Candida albicans biofilm activity of some indigenous Algerian medicinal plant extracts: Clematis flammula and Fraxinus angustifolia and their influence on the virulence factors of C. albicans. The anti-biofilm activity was determined using crystal violet assay while the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) was estimated in a water-hydrocarbon two-phase assay. Moreover, germ tube formation and hyphae elongation were assessed microscopically. F. angustifolia leaves and bark, as well as C. flammula leaves extracts (500 μg/mL) showed an inhibition of biofilm formation of 62.41 ± 3.88, 54.83 ± 0.98 and 36.78 ± 1.09%, respectively, probably related to a disruption of CSH, germ tube and hyphae formation of C. albicans ATCC 10231 (p<0.001). Phytochemical analysis revealed that the plant extracts were a rich source of phenolic compounds with the highest content found in F. angustifolia leaves (173.05 ± 0.15 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract), which could explain its highest efficiency against biofilm activity. Considering the results obtained, it can be concluded that the plants tested could be a promising source of drugs against muco-cutaneous infections caused by C. albicans biofilm