Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the medicinal species <em>Atractylis cancellata</em>

This research is focused on the estimation of total bioactive contents and the evaluation of in vitro pharmacological activities of crude extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) obtained from the species Atractylis cancellata. The antioxidant activity was assessed by three different techniques. The antibacterial activity was determined using the agar disk diffusion assay against five bacterial strains. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the ovalbumin method. According to the results, A. cancellata extracts are rich in several classes of secondary metabolites, especially steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. In addition, the tested extracts showed very interesting antioxidant activities in DPPH and FRAP assays and important correlation coefficients between the results of antioxidant activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found. Moreover, all the tested extracts displayed an antibacterial effect at least against three bacterial strains. The petroleum ether extract inhibited the growth of all the tested bacteria in a dose-dependent manner except Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and it revealed a strong anti-inflammatory activity (81.77±0.05%). We conclude that A. cancellata could be an important source of natural pharmacological candidates against oxidative stress, inflammatory and microbial diseases

Medicinal, pharmacological and biochemical progress on the study of genus Helianthemum: A review

Background: The genus Helianthemum from the Cistaceae family includes about 110 plants, which are well known for their wide therapeutic uses and interesting pharmacological activities. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous comprehensive and critical reviews on the therapeutic applications, chemical composition, and biological properties of this genus. Objective: In this context, the present paper describes a systematic mini-review on the traditional use, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological properties of species belonging to the genus Helianthemum. Methods: For this, more than 75 papers covering the period from 1970 to 2022 were collected and analyzed to achieve this review. Results: From 110 species of the genus Helianthemum, only 22 species were studied. Helianthemum species are widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of respiratory, hepatic, renal, psychiatric, and inflammatory diseases. According to the collected information, species from this genus have several pharmacological properties linked to their rich chemical composition, particularly in phenolic compounds and flavonoids. In fact, Helianthemum plants have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, insecticide, anticancer, antiulcer, larvicide, chemo, and hepatoprotective activities, justifying their various uses in traditional medicine. Conclusion: Despite the intense use of Helianthemum species in traditional human and veterinary medicine, few studies were conducted on the phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities of the plants constituting this genus. In fact, until now, the emphasis has only been on twenty-two species and the work carried out was not explanatory, especially for certain species. So it will be interesting to broaden the spectrum of the tested biological activities, especially for endemic species in order to understand the possible modes of action and to confirm the toxicity of certain species. </jats:sec

Assessment of in vitro anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, antimicrobial, photoprotective and antioxidant activities of the Algerian species Suaeda monodiana

425-433The efficient cutaneous wound healing process constitutes a critical challenge for clinical and fundamental research. Indeed, agents that prevent bacterial infections, the excessive production of free radicals, and inflammation may enhance wound healing. In this context, the biological activities of the methanolic extract prepared from the species Suaeda monodiana Maire were assessed. The antioxidant activity was tested by five different methods, and the sun protection factor was measured. The hemostatic activity was evaluated by determining plasma re-calcification time, and the anti-inflammatory effect was carried out by heat-inducing hemolysis and albumin denaturation tests. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar disk diffusion assay against seven strains. As a result, the tested extract has a rich chemical composition and possesses interesting photoprotective (SPF at 46.49±0.05) and antioxidant activities. This extract showed the ability to inhibit protein denaturation (IC50 at 1.22±0.8 mg/mL) and to protect the erythrocytes membrane (IC50 at 2.39±0.3 mg/mL). Moreover, the Methanol extract significantly shortens the clotting time and inhibits the growth of all the tested strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 31.25 to 250 μg/mL. Furthermore, due to its pharmacological properties, S. monodiana species could be used in pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of skin diseases

In vitro Cytotoxic Effect, Hemolytic, and Antioxidant Activities of the Algerian Species Nonea vesicaria Rchb.

Objective: The aim of this study is the estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the evaluation of cytotoxic, hemolytic and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract obtained from the species Nonea vesicaria (L.) Rchb. Methods: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified by Folin-Ciocalteu and trichloroaluminum methods, respectively. The cytotoxic effect was tested by Brine shrimp lethality assay and the hemolytic activity was assessed by spectrophotometric test on human erythrocytes. Moreover, the antioxidant activity was determined by seven different techniques. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of many classes of secondary metabolites, a moderate level of polyphenols, and a low content of flavonoids. The methanolic extract showed a significant cytotoxic effect with a value of LC50 at 35.7±0.5 μg/mL and induced hemolysis in a dosedependent manner with a value of EC50 at 175.6±0.08 μg/mL. The results of antioxidant activities indicated an important effect on nonpolar systems especially in ferric thiocyanate test and β-carotene bleaching inhibition assay. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of N. vesicaria could constitute an important source of antioxidant and cytotoxic compounds but prudent use is recommended in order to reduce the adverse effects related to the possible hemolysis. </jats:sec

Accuracy of serum markers, progesterone and vitamins measurements for early screening of abortions in the eastern region of Algeria (Batna)

Spontaneous abortion is an involuntary interruption of pregnancy before 22 weeks of gestation. According to the Algerian National Institute of Public Health the percentage of women suffering from permanent complications during pregnancy is approximately 15%. The aim of this study is the determination of some biochemical analytes, including folic acid, vitamin B12, alphafoetoproteine, beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), progesterone and oestradiol (uE3), which are involved in the detection of pregnancy failures. This case-control study was carried out on women in the process of abortion and a control group with viable pregnancies in the East region of Algeria (Batna) during the year 2015. In the present investigation, 69 pregnant women during the first and second trimester were recruited during the first and second trimesters as cases (with miscarriages) and the control group (n=69) was constituted of women who had normal ultrasound. The average concentration of alpha-fetoprotein is significantly low during the first trimester, but it is very high during the second trimester between cases and controls. The median values of β- hCG, uE3 and progesterone decrease very significantly. The mean concentration of serum folate and vitamin B12 did not change significantly between cases and controls in the first and second trimesters. The results of this study revealed that, spontaneous abortions are associated with changes in serum markers and progesterone, which could form an important part in the early diagnosis of non-viable pregnancies. However, vitamins levels have no significant effects on these pregnancies